Дуб красный южный (Quercus falcata): описание и особенности

Species of oak tree

Quercus falcata, also called southern red oak, spanish oak, bottomland red oak or three lobed red oak is an oak (part of the genus Quercus). Native to the southeastern United States, it gets its name the "Spanish Oak" as these are the areas of early Spanish colonies, whilst "southern red oak" comes from both its range and leaf color during late summer and fall.

Queen Anne's County Oak is a southern red oak on record as the largest southern red oak in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. The oak was located on Romancoke Road. It fell on July 23, 2017 due to a tornado. The tree was at least 200 years old, stood tall, and had a spread.

The southern red oak is a member of the beech family (Fagaceae) and 1 of the 207 oak species in the U. S, and is in the section of the Quercus genus Lobatae, the red oaks. Quercus falcata has the following synonyms: Quercus aurea, Q. digitate, Q. elongate, Q. hudsoniana, Q. hypophlaeos, Q. nobilis and Q. triloba. Q. falcata was described in 1801 by Andre Michaux. Several southern red oak hybrids have been described including Quercus × caesariensis (Q. falcata × Quercus ilicifolia) and Quercus × beaumontiana (Q. falcata × Quercus laurifolia).

Quercus, is Latin for "oak" and followed by the specific epithet, falcata, which in Latin means "sickle shaped" in reference to the shape of the lobes that are present on their leaves.

Quercus falcata occurs in sandy, loamy or clay soils of upland sites. These soils are often dry, acidic and nutrient poor. In suitable habitats, the species can be found from southern New York (Long Island) south to central Florida and west to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. In the northeastern portion of its range the species is relatively rare and found almost exclusively along the coast; its highest prevalence is throughout the piedmont region of the Southeast.

Southern red oak has been reported to form occasional hybrids with several other red oaks in the region. The southern red oak is susceptible to damage as a result of its relatively thin bark. This thinner bark means that fire can easily damage the trees in the form of fire scars and other damage. Bark roughness increases in xeric sites compared to mesic ones potentially an adaptation to fire frequency. The seedlings of southern red oak can survive prescribed fire in winter. The harm caused by fire can leave the tree vulnerable to heart rot. This fungus can cause the wilting of oak leaves and eventual death. Oak wilt does not currently appear to be damaging the population, but with the Southern Red Oak being seen as a species of major importance to ecosystems, efforts to prevent oak wilt are being taken.

The southern red oak is cultivated in eastern United States in USDA Zone 5a to USDA Zone 9b. It can survive lows from 23°C to 28.8°C ( 10°F to 20 °F) and highs of 38°C (100°F).

The southern red oak is a tree with diverse potential uses, such as for manufacturing of floors, furniture, construction materials and lumber thanks to the sturdy, durable and coarse grained wood it provides. The southern red oak is vital in the southeastern United States due to its abundance, providing around 8.1% of annual hardwood volume. Southern red oak wood is used as a fuel source because of its high heat value. The southern red oak provides tannin, which is used to preserve and treat leather. The southern red oak has a large root system that provides watershed protection to reduce flood damage and soil stability. Southern red oak can provide acorn mast for deer, squirrels, turkeys, song birds and quail.