Oak trees exist in about 500 varieties. Native to the Northern Hemisphere, oaks include deciduous and evergreen species. Blooming is a crucial part of the reproduction of these plants, which you can find distributed across the globe from temperate to tropical regions in America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Compared to other plants, it is reasonable to say that oak’s blossoms are not as stunning, which might cause someone wondering “Are Oak Trees Flowering Plants?”.
Oaks are probably not the first type of tree that comes to mind when thinking about a spectacular spring bloom. However, their flowers are a crucial part of their reproductive process. So, to give you a short answer, oak trees flower. They begin to bloom when the warmer temperatures encourage flower buds to expand.
Keep reading to learn more about oaks’ blooming (and more about these fascinating trees).
Why Do Oaks Bloom?
Oaks produce female and male parts, which exist as two different blooms on the same branch. Flowers serve to attract pollinators to ensure reproduction is successful. Male flowers appear like yellow (worm-like) pendants that droop downwards from the base of new branches. Female flowers present themselves like flowering spikes that hold the seed or acorn of the tree. Before pollination, female flowers contain six ovules, of which eventually one will get fertilized to bloom into an acorn.
Most oak trees will start producing acorns only at around 20 years.
What Types of Oaks Should You Know?
Oak trees come in various shapes and sizes. You may benefit from learning about some of the most common oak tree varieties so that you can have a better idea about which one to plant at home. For simplicity, we can divide the various species into three main groups: red, white, and black oak trees.
Red Oak Trees
Red Oaks is probably the most common type of oak. It can grow up to 75 feet tall and live from 150 to 500 years. If you decide to plant one at home, you may want to consider that, under proper conditions, a red oak tree will stay there for a long time. This variety includes willow, black, Japanese, water, and pin oaks.
White Oak Trees
White oak trees produce rounded and smooth leaves. Their acorns are quicker to mature (usually about one year) and will sprout after falling to the ground. These trees have short trunks and massive limbs that spread upright. Chinkapin, post, and bur oak, all fall under this category.
Black Oak Trees
Black Oaks often fall under the red oak category but deserve a separate group. They are not as well-known as the previous two because they are not particularly useful in the wood industry. However, they are stunning and imposing trees that can live for centuries under ideal conditions. Look at the tree’s bark and leaves to identify it as black oak. The bark should be blackish, and the leaves have bristled at the tips.
Are Oak Trees Flowering Plants?: The Bottom Line
While it is not your common flowering tree, the oak tree blooms every spring to reproduce. Its flowers are yellowish and include both the female and male parts. The wind, more than pollinators, plays a crucial role in ensuring the reproduction of these long-lived, magnificent trees. Now you can surprise your friends and family with this newly gained piece of information!