Written by andreajn
Modified & Updated: 30 Dec 2023
Reviewed by Sherman Smith
Oak trees have occupied this planet far longer than humans did. All their parts, from its body to its fruits, serve many purposes to humans and animals alike. They also stand for many things in different cultures and aspects of life. Learn more about the esteemed species by reading these oak tree facts that you need to know.
- Oak trees are indigenous in the Northern hemisphere.
- In subtropical rainforests to Mediterranean semi-deserts, oak trees serve as essential habitats.
- Each oak tree type has corresponding types of acorns or the fruit it bears.
- The signature large size of oak trees enables the species to absorb as much as 50 gallons of water per day.
- Oak stands as the symbol for the 80th wedding anniversary.
- Around 600 types of oak trees exist from all over the world.
- The types that are native to the United States are around 90.
- The tallest type of oak tree is the white oak, with the tallest height recorded at 144 feet or 44 meters.
- Oaktree identification can be based on their leaves, acorns or the places in which they grow.
- Oak saplings can also be used to cultivate oak trees.
- Early humans make use of oak wood to build homes, create tools and construct ships.
- Modern-day uses for oak trees include cosmetic creams, furniture, flooring, and wine barrels.
- Acorn from oak trees feed birds like pigeons, ducks, and woodpeckers.
- Other animals that consume acorns are squirrels, mice, deers, bears, and pigs.
- On the contrary, the tannic and gallic acid contents of these oak tree nuts are poison to horses and dogs.
- Within its lifetime, an oak tree can produce up to 10 million acorns.
- Truffle farmers plant oak trees as the fungi have a symbiotic relationship with the tree’s roots where it grows naturally.
- Acorns from oak trees once served as a substitute for coffee while sprouting shoots can aid in liquor preparation.
- In army ranking, a silver oak leaf represents a Lt. Colonel and a gold oak leaf stands for a Lt. Commander.
- Greek mythology regards the oak tree as a sacred being to Zeus, the god of lightning.
Oak Tree Facts Infographics
On average, an oak tree lifespan lasts up to 200 years.
They grow and produce acorns until they reach 700 years when they are considered old. Upon reaching its 1,000-year mark, an oak tree slows down in growth with some parts starting to die.
The average oak tree height is 50-70 feet or 15-21 meters.
Despite their overwhelming appearance, the oak species stay in the middle-height category. What makes it look big is the spread of its branches which can have a branch-to-branch reach of around 50 feet or 15 meters once fully grown.
Oaktree symbolism speaks of strength and endurance.
A lot of countries regard it as their national tree. The list includes Bulgaria, Cyprus, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, U.S.A., and Wales.
Among all trees, oak trees hold the highest probability of lightning strikes.
Hence, the tree is of high significance for Druids seeking ‘arwen,’ or inspiration. They believe that they can acquire it through lightning, calling it ‘courting the flash.’
The oldest record for an oak tree goes to the Pechanga Great Oak Tree.
Located in the United States, the tree is estimated to be 2,000 years old.
The largest record for an oak tree goes to the Seven Sisters Oak.
It is also counted as one of the oldest of its kind, its age believed to be at 1,500 years. Owned by a woman named Carole Hendra Doby, the tree is located in Mandeville, Louisiana.
The Seven Sisters Oak was named that way partly because the owner was one of seven sisters, and partly because of the seven-branch sets that spread out from its main trunk.
Oak trees do not bear fruits until they are nearly 20 years old.
Until then, they can produce up to 2,000 acorns yearly. However, only 1 in every 10,000 acorns borne would grow into a new tree. It is equivalent to one oak tree born to a full-grown tree in one year.
A single oak tree can germinate both male and female flowers.
Male flowers appear with or after the leaves and yield hanging yellow catkins. On the other hand, female flowers have overlapping scales in a husk which then enlarges to hold the acorn.
Where male flowers grow on one part of an oak tree branch, female flowers grow on another part.
Oaktree roots grow from an acorn to a taproot system.
The primary root would grow horizontally into the soil. Later on, the taproots would transform into an extensive root system alongside the maturation of the plant.
In Britain, a six-pence coin is engraved with an image of the oak tree.
It stands as one of the oldest coins in the country. Moreover, oak branches also appear on German coins, Deutsche Marks, and Euro currencies.
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