Quercus marilandica
Common name: Blackjack Oak
A much more southern addition to our native oak pantheon and maybe one of the quirkiest. In Illinois it is restricted to the southern half on rocky and sandy soils. Being at the very northern end of its natural range the plants will not reach their full size but rather will be more of a "low" tree reaching maybe 25' and thickly branched. Though it is harsh site tolerant it will need to be on sandier soils to be successful, and we strongly recommend that you use it in screens and boarder plantings, not as a singular tree. Like most oaks it host hundreds of butterfly and moth caterpillars, as well as the birds that feed on them. Fall color tends to the red/purple and very shiny.
Limited availability.
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Plant Details
Plant type
Trees
Soil type
Dry, Dry Mesic, Mesic (Not too Wet Not too Dry)
Light exposure
Eastern Exposure / Morning Sun, Full Sun
Bloom period
Spring
Urban environment
Uncompacted Urban Soils, Harsh Exposure Tolerant
Habitat
Prairie Grasslands, Sandy Soils, Savannas
Growth form
Single trunk, Low branched
Growth rate
Moderate
Flower color
Yellowish Catkin
Fall color
Red Orange Yellow
Size
- Mature height
- 30 Feet
- Mature width
- 30 Feet
- Max height
- 42 Feet
- Max width
- 46 Feet
Additional information
Butterfly host plant Drought Resistant Great for Screening/Border Plantings Loved by birds Pollinator hot spot