Missouri is home to a diverse array of oak trees, with 22 native species and over 30 different oak hybrids recorded in the state.
In addition to these native species, there are also non-native oak species that can be found in Missouri.
This article will explore some of the native and non-native oak species in Missouri, as well as the different types of oak trees that can be found in the state.
Key Takeaways:
- Missouri is home to 22 native oak species and over 30 oak hybrids, as well as several non-native oak species.
- Native oak species in Missouri include white oak, swamp white oak, overcup oak, bur oak, swamp chestnut oak, chinkapin oak, dwarf chestnut oak, and post oak.
- Non-native oak species in Missouri include Northern Red Oak, Shumard Oak, Pin Oak, Northern Pin Oak, and Black Oak.
- There are also different types of oak trees in Missouri that are not necessarily classified as separate species, including Shingle Oak, Willow Oak, and Water Oak.
- Oaks are considered “keystone” native species, meaning they help define an entire ecosystem and provide benefits both as landscape specimens and forest plantings.
- Missouri’s oak trees play a vital role in the state’s ecosystems, providing benefits as landscape specimens and forest plantings.
Native Oak Species in Missouri
Some of the native oak species in Missouri include:
- White oak (Q. alba)
- Swamp white oak (Q. bicolor)
- Overcup oak (Q. lyrata)
- Bur oak (burr oak, mossycup oak) (Q. macrocarpa)
- Swamp chestnut oak (basket oak, cow oak) (Q. michauxii)
- Chinkapin oak (Q. muehlenbergii)
- Dwarf chestnut oak (Q. prinoides)
- Post oak (Q. stellata)
These native oak species play a crucial role in Missouri’s ecosystems.
Oaks are considered “keystone” native species, meaning they help define an entire ecosystem.
They provide benefits both as landscape specimens and forest plantings.
Non-Native Oak Species in Missouri
In addition to the native oak species, there are also non-native oak species that can be found in Missouri.
These include:
- Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra)
- Shumard Oak (Q. shumardii)
- Pin Oak (Q. palustris)
- Northern Pin Oak (Q. ellipsoidalis)
- Black Oak (Q. velutina)
While these non-native oak species may not be as prevalent as their native counterparts, they still contribute to the diversity of Missouri’s oak tree population.
Different Types of Oak Trees in Missouri
In addition to the native and non-native oak species, there are also different types of oak trees in Missouri that are not necessarily classified as separate species.
These include:
- Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria): This oak tree has entire leaves, meaning its leaves have none of the lobes characteristic of most oak trees. It is one of three types of oaks found in Missouri with entire leaves, and it is the most common of the three.
- Willow Oak (Quercus phello): Another oak tree with entire leaves, the Willow Oak is found in Missouri, although it is not as common as the Shingle Oak.
- Water Oak (Quercus nigra): The Water Oak is the third type of oak tree in Missouri with entire leaves, and it is the least common of the three.
These different types of oak trees add to the overall diversity of Missouri’s oak tree population, providing unique characteristics and features.
Before You Go
If your looking to buy oak trees or any other type of tree, I highly recommend NatureHills.com
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They always have sales and discounted nursery stock and are well worth your time to check out.
And also I have some other articles you might find interesting.
I’ll leave links to them below.
