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Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC

Specializing in plants native to mid-Atlantic ecosystem

September 30, 2020

Species Spotlight – Black Oak

The Eastern Black Oak, Quercus velutina, is a small to medium sized species within the “red oak group” and has a wide range in Eastern North America. It occurs from extreme-eastern Texas, east to the Florida Panhandle, and north to southern Maine. Its population in the Southeast is sparse compared to its denser populations in the eastern-Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  (Photo above:  Black Oak” (CC BY 2.0) by treegrow)

It occurs in almost every county in Pennsylvania, except for North-central PA, where other oak species are more prevalent. Hybridization occurs between the Eastern Black Oak and other oaks in the red oak group including the Northern Red, Pin, Willow, Shumard, Scarlet, and Shingle Oaks.

In our region, this species most commonly grows 40 to 60 feet tall and wide at maturity but has been recorded surpassing 80 feet tall. It can grow much larger in the southern part of its range, reaching up to 140 feet tall.

Its name comes from its very dark bark, which may look nearly black when wet. However, its inner bark is yellow, leading to its [now historical] alternative common name: the yellow oak.  The yellow color is due to the pigment known as quercitron — a valued dye sold commercially until the mid-20th century.

Fall foliage is yellow-brown to reddish orange.  You can grow Eastern Black Oak easily.  Plant it in moist, well-drained loamy or silty soils in full sun or dappled shade. If slope planting, choose a northern or eastern facing slope for placement to reduce heat stress. It tolerates poorer soils, but will thrive in rich soils.  Cage young trees to protect against deer browse and buck rubs.

Ecosystem Value

Like other oak species, the Eastern Black Oak has remarkable value for wildlife. It serves as a larval host for several butterflies, including many Hairstreaks and the Sleepy Duskywing, as well as for hundreds of species of moths. It also serves as a host for the larvae of the Northern walkingstick (stick insect).

Walking stick, Phasmatodea. One of many insects supported by Quercus velutina

And of course, the acorns are a relished food source for a myriad of native mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, flying squirrels, deer, foxes, bears, white-footed mice, raccoons, and many birds such as woodpeckers, ducks, grouse, quail, pheasants, turkeys, and nuthatches.

Many forest-dwelling birds also use this species for nesting such as screech owls, flycatchers, tanagers, hawks, and vireos; these birds also hunt the various insects utilizing the oaks for food. The acorns can also serve as a supplemental food for domestic animals such as cattle and swine.

 

 

 

Article by Brandon Everett / Plants

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22 hours ago

Want some blueberries this season? We have some beautiful blueberry bushes that will bear fruit this year.

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1 day ago

We just released gallon-sized native deciduous and evergreen azaleas/Rhododendrons. Color of flowers is noted after the botanical name :)

Azaleas (deciduous):

Flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) ORANGE
Pinxter azalea (R. periclymenoides) PINK
Piedmont azalea (R. canescens) PINK
Rose shell azalea (R. prinophyllum) PINK
Onocee azalea (R. flammeum) ORANGE
Swamp azalea (R. viscosum) WHITE
Sweet azalea (R. arborescens) WHITE
Coast azalea (R. atlanticum) WHITE

“Rhodies” (evergreen):

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) WHITE
‘Roseum Elegans’ (Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Roseum Elegans’) MAGENTA-PINK
‘Boursalt’ (Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Boursalt’) MAGENTA-PINK

We also have limited amounts of some in larger containers:

Great laurel (R. maximum) WHITE
Sweet azalea (R. arborescens) WHITE
Coast azalea (R. atlanticum) WHITE
Flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) ORANGE
Swamp azalea (R. viscosum) WHITE

We also have plenty of mountain laurel left (Kalmia latifolia) including:

Straight species
‘Olympic Fire’
‘Elf’ (dwarf)
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Climate-Wise Landscaping

Replace the seasonal non-native plantings that need to be replaced every few months with native perennial borders. And instead of wide spaces of mulch between the plants, place them close together so that there is little room for weeds. This practice is part of climate-wise landscaping because it reduces soil disturbances, which reduces the carbon released to the air and it reduces the large footprint of repetitive production and transport to supply new plants every season. The perennials will last for many seasons and require much less labor.
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Trees, trees, and more trees! Oh, and shrubs, shrubs, and yes, more shrubs! We have a wonderful selection of native trees and shrubs available now. Woody plants provide interest all year long, height to the garden, vital habitat for wildlife, and years of satisfaction as you watch your plant grow into a mature specimen! They are the foundation of our greater, forested ecosystem spanning most of eastern North America, which historically covered nearly 100% of Pennsylvania’s landmass. Today, forested land still makes up the majority of Pennsylvania’s total land area, at about 58% coverage. Below are some of the trees we have now, keep an eye for another post soon about shrubs :)

Available now:

*Trees*

Shagbark hickory
Shellbark hickory
Red maple
Sugar maple
Red oak
Willow oak
Black oak
Shumard oak
Pin oak
Beech
Sycamore
Fringetree
Red bud
Carolina silver bell
White pine
Red pine
Virginia pine
Pitch pine
White spruce
Red spruce
Eastern Red Cedar
American linden
Sassafrass
Bald cypress
Franklinia
Sweetbay magnolia
River birch
‘Heritage’ River Birch
Yellow Birch
Mountain ash
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Friendly, knowledgeable people, large selection of native plants, trees and shrubs. Great place!

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Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC
A WBE Certified Woman Owned Business
Promoting Native Plants Since 2003

2415 Route 100, Orefield, PA 18069
(610) 395-2570
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