Tree of the Week: Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata)

Acorn Watch 2022 continues with a look at one of the arboretum's overcup oaks (Quercus lyrata). 

Our tree of the week is an overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), located on the south side of the arboretum, near Cline and Rotary Hall dormitories. As shown in the picture, there is much sunshine on the grassy slope near the dormitories, but under the oak tree, we have a shady spot. Unfortunately, our arboretum catalogue lacks specific planting information for this specimen, so we cannot say exactly how old it is, but this oak was certainly planted after 1995. It is roughly 25 years old.

Trees, especially oaks, provide excellent habitat for all sorts of critters, including transient kobolds. This one stands about 3 feet off the ground.

At roughly 25 years of age, this overcup oak is producing a large number of acorns. Here, developing acorns of two sizes are visible. The tiny ones are not on track for ripening this year and are expected to drop from the tree as immature fruits.

Despite some predation on the leaves, visible to the right, these larger acorns look quite healthy.

 To see our previous post from four years ago on this species, click here.