Virginia Tech Dendrology

blackjack oak Fagaceae Quercus marilandica Münchh. symbol: QUMA3
Leaf: Alternate, simple, 5 to 8 inches long, thickened, with 3 shallow, bristle-tipped lobes near the end of the leaf, upper surface lustrous green, lower surface paler with orange-brown pubescence.
Flower: Species is monoecious; males 2 to 4 inch long hanging catkin; females small, single or paired.
Fruit: Acorn, nut 3/4 inch long often striated, light brown, cap covers about half of the nut and is covered with loose, hairy scales.
Twig: Stout, dark brown and scruffy-hairy, reddish brown buds are 1/4 inch long, sharp, angled and fuzzy.
Bark: Very dark (almost black), rough, with blocky plates and splits.
Form: A small sized tree (20 to 30 feet tall) generally with poor form. It typically has a short trunk with a round crown made up of twisted limbs.
Looks like: turkey oak

Additional Range Information: Quercus marilandica is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information