Oak leaf ID

[catman529]

I posted this pic on Facebook in the Tennessee deer hunters group and asked what the species of these two oak leaves was. I got a lot of responses, some really bad guesses and some really good guesses, and one guy hit the nail on the head.

It's almost impossible to tell certain red oak species apart from just the leaf, but a couple guys caught on to something. They're both from the same tree, a black oak. The top leaf grew in the shade and the bottom grew in the sun.

This is common with a lot of trees and is something to consider when scouting for food sources. I can't say I've found a hot black oak tree, but I've found hot northern reds, willow oak, water oaks, etc. When white oaks haven't started dropping good, some of the reds can be absolute fire in the early season, and then again in late season after the white oak acorns are gone.

I'm gonna try and put together a video over the next 2-3 months showing how to ID a handful of the most common oak trees around here to try and help deer hunters figure out which trees are worth checking out when deer season comes around. I have a lot of pics and footage to take, and need to get ripe acorns, so the video won't be ready for a while. But I thought I'd share this for those who are interested.


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[pockets]

Pretty cool right there. I would have bet money those came from different trees. Look forward to your videos.

 

[clwg97]

With the different levels of "palmation" on the 2 leaves I would have thought different trees. Definitely look forward to seeing the video.

 

[MUP]

That is very interesting!

 

[TDW05]

That's a great idea cat! I can't wait for the video. I'll be the first to admit that I need to become more familiar with different species of trees.

 

[catman529]

That's a great idea cat! I can't wait for the video. I'll be the first to admit that I need to become more familiar with different species of trees.

I still have a lot to learn as there are so many different trees out there. I'll be covering the ones I am most familiar with that are also common in middle TN and most of the eastern US. Was gonna do this 2 years ago and then again last year but still had more to learn.


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[Ski]

I still have a lot to learn as there are so many different trees out there. I'll be covering the ones I am most familiar with that are also common in middle TN and most of the eastern US. Was gonna do this 2 years ago and then again last year but still had more to learn.

I'm at the other end of it. I know a bit about the trees but not as much on how they relate to wildlife. Specifically acorns, which ones fall at what times, and which ones deer prefer, etc. There's a lot to learn for sure.

 

[catman529]

I still have a lot to learn as there are so many different trees out there. I'll be covering the ones I am most familiar with that are also common in middle TN and most of the eastern US. Was gonna do this 2 years ago and then again last year but still had more to learn.

I'm at the other end of it. I know a bit about the trees but not as much on how they relate to wildlife. Specifically acorns, which ones fall at what times, and which ones deer prefer, etc. There's a lot to learn for sure.

trees can vary in appearance but the most variable thing is deer's preference. They might hammer chestnut oaks on one ridge and leave them to rot on another. One red oak might be the hot spot in early October but another one doesn't get touched till the end of season when the "good" ones were all eaten up. Whites usually drop later than reds except for sawtooth oak which is super early (and is not native to North America)


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[Hunter 257W]

Here is a guide I've used in the past and it just covers Oaks native to TN so unless it's been planted recently by some deer hunter, you should never encounter a tree not listed.

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publica ... PB1731.pdf

 

[catman529]

Here is a guide I've used in the past and it just covers Oaks native to TN so unless it's been planted recently by some deer hunter, you should never encounter a tree not listed.

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publica ... PB1731.pdf

thanks! I am familiar with most of those but always looking for more info.


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[MickThompson]

Are you sure on black oak? They don't look fuzzy at all.

 

[catman529]

Are you sure on black oak? They don't look fuzzy at all.

black oak leaves are shiny on top


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[Snake]

Look like a red oak to me but I'm getting old . I thought white oaks dropped first and will rot sooner and red oaks are not preferred over white oaks but last longer . Thus the term when bow hunting " look for the white oaks that are dropping " for a stand . Guess I need to watch your video

 

[catman529]

Look like a red oak to me but I'm getting old . I thought white oaks dropped first and will rot sooner and red oaks are not preferred over white oaks but last longer . Thus the term when bow hunting " look for the white oaks that are dropping " for a stand . Guess I need to watch your video

a black oak is a type of red oak. Some, but not all red oaks drop before the white oaks. I've killed deer over northern red oak that were hot with acorns and deer sign in the first week of bow season. Around here the white and chinkapin oak are preferred, but they don't start dropping good till mid October. By late season they are gone and deer go back to the leftover reds. A red oak can be just as good hunting as a white oak in the right place and time.


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[Hunter 257W]

Here is another one that covers Oaks found in the entire Eastern US. It's in color.



https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... EQdzJ4EaiT

I've printed both these Guides out so I could take them to the woods and have found a good variety of species on my farm.

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

I was gonna guess northern red oak. Can't say ive seen a black oak before but I might have. As far as reds go the northern red, southern red, pin oak, all i can recall seeing.

 

[catman529]

I was gonna guess northern red oak. Can't say ive seen a black oak before but I might have. As far as reds go the northern red, southern red, pin oak, all i can recall seeing.

you probably have some Shumard oaks being in the flat land in west TN. They are very similar to black oak


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[KanatiQuestTN]

I definitely look forward to your video. I was just looking for a video that goes more in depth on how to identify and find oaks and didn't find anything with much detail. I feel like I can identify your typical red and white oaks but I'm not finding many. I currently hunt in western TN and have had a hard time finding a primary feeding tree in these swamps.....


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[flyinpro]

I am also looking forward to the video & thanks for taking it on.


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[catman529]

I definitely look forward to your video. I was just looking for a video that goes more in depth on how to identify and find oaks and didn't find anything with much detail. I feel like I can identify your typical red and white oaks but I'm not finding many. I currently hunt in western TN and have had a hard time finding a primary feeding tree in these swamps.....


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I just spent half of the day taking tons of pics and videos and got a lot of species covered, but I still have to go back in October and get acorn pics.


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[KanatiQuestTN]

I definitely look forward to your video. I was just looking for a video that goes more in depth on how to identify and find oaks and didn't find anything with much detail. I feel like I can identify your typical red and white oaks but I'm not finding many. I currently hunt in western TN and have had a hard time finding a primary feeding tree in these swamps.....


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I just spent half of the day taking tons of pics and videos and got a lot of species covered, but I still have to go back in October and get acorn pics.


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Heck yeah. Sounds like it's gonna be a great video.


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