Quercus velutina

The eastern black or velvet black oak is in the red oak group (Lobatae) in the beech or Fagaceae family, and is widespread in eastern and central North America, found in all the coastal states from Maine to Texas, inland as far as Ontario, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas. It often exceeds 32 m in height, with a massive domed crown with slightly ascending branches.

• Leaves of the black oak are alternately arranged on the twig and are 10–20 cm long with 5–7 bristle tipped lobes separated by deep U-shaped notches. The upper surface of the leaf is a shiny deep green, the lower is yellowish-brown. Stellate hairs on the underside of the leaf grow in clumps.
• Buds are velvety and covered in white hair; the acorns are medium-sized and broadly rounded. The cap is large and covers almost half of the nut.