Saul's Oak
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Upright, rounded habit. Grows to 60' tall. Strong, wide-angle branches. Moderate growth rate. Generally long-lived; 200-400 year lifespan.

Native Range

Kentucky Native — A hybrid oak, whose parents are White Oak and Chestnut Oak. Often found in the eastern third of the U.S., including Kentucky. Predominantly grows as a natural hybrid in central and northeast U.S. Cultivated since 1883.

Flower and Fruit Details

April/May flowers; male in greenish-yellow catkins. Flowers will pollinate both parents, with progeny more strongly resembling the Chestnut Oak. Produces acorns at a relatively young age. Acorns are shiny brown, with a lighter brown cap that covers at least 1/3 of the nut.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves are 9" long & 4" wide, w/ 6-8 pairs of semi-rounded, narrow lobes, with shallow to medium depth sinuses. Leaves tend to be wide in the middle or top half. Acute base. Leaves have a prominent, raised, yellow-green midrib on the underside. Fall color can be good, yellow to orange. Bark is both flaky and furrowed, though not to the degree of either parent. Usually more furrowed than flaky.

Culture and Care

Tolerates various soil types. Grows well on thin soil and poor sites. Drought tolerant and pH adaptable. Full sun. Zones 4-8. Usually not many serious pests, but possible problems include galls, borers, mites, cankers, borers, anthracnose and leaf spots.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Good wildlife value. 3-season interest: Spring, summer and fall.

Suggested Uses

Makes a good shade tree or park tree.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA