Difference Between Black and Red Oak

Black vs Red Oak
The black and red oaks are two common forms of the popular oak tree. Both can be found in different regions of the United States and have distinctive physical characteristics. A red oak can outgrow a black oak by nearly ten feet, additionally the leaves of the red oak can outgrow those of the black oak.

In the fall when the leaves change color, red oak tree leaves turn red, whereas the black oak leaves are transformed into a wide array of fall colors. The bark of the black oak has a dark gray hue with many furrows, while the red oak bark takes on a light gray color. Even though the red and black oak trees may come from the same genus of trees, they are not very similar when compared to one another.
The black oak can commonly be found on the eastern side of the United States and southern Canada. It can be found as far north as Ontario and as far south as Florida. It can also be found as far west as parts of Texas. Depending on the area, black oaks can range in height from 60 to 120 feet, with the leaves varying in length from four to eight inches.

The black oak produces acorn seeds nearly every two to three years and is one of the most popular foraging trees for squirrels and chipmunks. In the northeast United States, black oak trees take well to cool and moist soils that are vitamin rich, thriving in soil that is free of sandstone, shale, hard clay, and limestone. Even in the Appalachian Mountains there are black oaks, and they can be found as high as 4,000 feet above sea level.
There are various names for the red oak tree; Northern Red Oak and Champion Red Oak are among the two most popular. The red oak grows in the same locations that the black oak tree does, however they are not native to the southern states such as Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The red oak is one of the most commonly used types of trees for timber production because of its high quality wood that can be used for home decor and furniture production. This tree can grow from 90 to 140 feet tall and can boast a 40 centimetre wide trunk. The kernels produced by this tree can be widely spread and are bitter in taste, however they are still consumed by forest critters.
Summary

1. The red and black oak are both from the oak family, however they have distinct physical characteristics.
2. The black and red oak are found all across the eastern half of the United States, with the exceptions of Florida, Louisiana, and Texas where only the black oak can be found.
3. Black oak trees are common producers of acorns which serve as a food source for forest animals. Instead of producing acorns, the red oak produces seeds.
4. The red oak has high quality wood that is used to produce home decor and furniture. It is also one of the most commonly used trees in timber production.

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