Species Category Name: Woody
The Northern Red Oak is an oak native to Eastern and Central North America. It is sometimes called Campion Oak as well. This tree is one of the most important for the North American timber industry. It is also considered the fourth most invasive species of tree in Europe since it was introduced in the 1700s.
Liriodendron tulipifera is Indiana’s state tree.
The tulip poplar is planted for reforestation purposes because of its rapid growth and the commercial importance of its wood, and is often planted as an ornamental.
This species has some wildlife value. The fruits provide food for squirrels in the late fall and winter months, and the white-tailed deer often browse on the twigs.
LEAVES 4-8 inches long, 4-5 1/2 inches wide, alternate with 7 to 11 bristle-tipped lobes
TWIGS Smooth and brown
FLOWERS The male inflorescence is a catkin which is initially compact and stiff, but eventually unfolds to become longer and hang loosely from the branch. Female flowers are very small and petal-less, emerging from the growing stem at the point where a new leaf is attached
FRUIT A nut (acorn), partially covered with a “cap”, that changes from green to green-brown to brown, red brown or dark brown
YOUNG BARK Smooth and dark gray
AGED BARK Dark gray or black which is shallowly furrowed into broad hard scaly ridges
MATURE HEIGHT 60-90 feet
MATURE TRUNK 20-39 inches in diameter
