Tree of the Month: Georgia Oak

We’ve featured a lot of oak trees as our Tree of the Month, but it’s high time we feature Quercus georgiana, the oak tree named after our fair Peach State! 

​Despite the familiar moniker, you may not have heard of the Georgia oak before. These deciduous red oaks are pretty rare, and are actually on many conservationist watch lists, as their population borders on endangered. 

​Did You Know? 

​The largest known Georgia oak tree grows right here in our very own Clarke County! It sits at 65 feet tall. Pretty small for an oak tree, but pretty massive for a Georgia oak!

​Georgia oaks are also sometimes referred to as Stone Mountain oaks, as the first of the species was discovered near Stone Mountain, Georgia. These southeast natives occur naturally along the sandstone and granite outcroppings in the area, and can also be found in small pockets of South Carolina and Alabama. 

​Despite this preference for dry, rocky ground, Georgia oaks can tolerate a wide variety of soil compositions, assuming their root systems remain well-drained. Regardless of their conditions, they do require full sun, or at least 6 hours of direct exposure every day, in order to thrive.

​Most oak trees are notoriously slow growers, and Georgia oaks are no different. However, unlike most oak species, Georgia oaks act more like shrubs in the wild. They stay lower to the ground, averaging around 25 feet high, with wide, compact crowns ranging from around 15 to 30 feet across. 

​Of course, some Georgia oaks will follow a more stereotypical “tree” growth pattern, and reach heights upwards of 50 feet. Domestic specimens, such as in landscaping, are also often pruned and guided to grow this way. If you’re willing to wait, they make great shade trees in the summer!

​Georgia oak leaves follow the same 5-finger pattern of other oaks, though the lobes are less defined than other species. The bright green leaves are shiny and waxy on the surface, with hairless, pale-green undersides. In the fall, these leaves will change to rust-reds and warm browns, making them a colorful addition to Georgia’s autumn foliage displays.  

​The bark of the Georgia oak can range from light gray to light brown in color, and will mature from smooth to scaly as the tree ages. New twigs and leaf buds appear reddish-brown. 

​Georgia oaks are monoecious, which means both male and female reproductive organs are present on a single tree. However, the species is self-incompatible, which means that they require another of their species to cross-pollinate with in order to reproduce. 

​A properly pollinated Georgia oak will grow small brownish-gray acorns that reach barely a half-inch long on average. These acorns are a treasured source of food for the surrounding ecosystem, but may be a nuisance in your backyard, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons before adding a Georgia oak to your landscaping!

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Author

Emily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.

Source:
Wildflower.org
NC State Extension Gardener
American Forests
International Dendrology Society
International Oak Society