How to Identify a Cherrybark Oak

Leaf Identification

The leaf of the Cherrybark Oak has shallow bristle-tipped lobes. It usually has 5 to 9 lobes, and it is 5″ to 8″ long. It is typically bright green above with a duller green and slightly hairy (pubescent) below. As its scientific name suggests, the Cherrybark Oak’s leaves resemble a pagoda when viewed upside down.

  • Leaf of Arbor Walk #71
  • Underside of Leaf from Arbor Walk #71
  • Leaf (Fall) of Arbor Walk #71

Twig and Bud Identification

The Cherrybark Oak’s twig is orange to reddish brown, and when very young, it is pubescent. It has multiple, many-scaled buds.

  • Twig of Arbor Walk #71

Bark Identification

The bark of the Cherrybark Oak on young trees is smooth, but it soon develops dark, scaly bark. It resembles Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) bark.

  • Bark of Arbor Walk #71
  • Damaged Bark of Arbor Walk #71

Fruit Identification

The fruit of the Cherrybark Oak is an acorn. Young acorns are slightly pubescent on the scales of their cups and about 1/2″ long. The cup covers about 1/3 of the nut. Acorns develop in fall.

  • Fallen Fruit of Arbor Walk #71
  • Fallen Fruit of Arbor Walk #71

Flower Identification

The Cherrybark Oak is monoecious. The male flowers are yellow-green clusters of catkins, and the females are green clusters of stigmas on very short spikes.

Oak ID Tips

  • The upside down pagoda leaf shape is unique to the Cherrybark Oak.
  • Compared to the similar Southern Red Oak, the base of the Cherrybark Oak is pointed, not rounded; also, the Cherrybark Oak favors low, wet environments, unlike the Southern Red Oak.
  • Compared to the Northern Red Oak, the Cherrybark Oak has simpler lobes without toothing, broader sinuses, and a pubescent underside of the leaf.