Quercus velutina Black oak, Yellow bark oak, Quercitron oak

Fagaceae

Quercus velutina Black oak, Yellow bark oak, Quercitron oak

Quercus velutina is an American species whose shape resembles Q. rubra. It is a large tree with a good upright trunk up to around 30 m tall. The bark is dark grey, remaining smooth for a long time but eventually develops shallow grooves. The inner bark is strikingly orange-yellow. A yellow pigment used to be extracted from it. The young twigs are olive green to brown with soft hairs. Older twigs are reddish brown. The leaf buds, especially the end buds, measure about 1 cm and have hairy bud scales. The leaves are pinnately cleft and the lobes are roughly serrated with pointed tips. The top of the leaf is glossy dark green and the underside is light green and covered with light brown stellate hairs. The autumn colour is orange to reddish brown. The leaf is strikingly rigid which causes it to make a ‘tinny’ sound in the wind. It is this that give the tree its Dutch name, meaning tin oak.
Our trees can only be planted when they don't have any leaves. Due to the this we will start delivering again from November 2025.
Availability
Important notice: Due to legal restrictions, this product is unfortunately not available for delivery in your region. Please contact us to discuss possible alternatives. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Specifications
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Height
20 - 30 m
Width
20-25m
Crown
irregular, broad ovoid to round, half-open crown
Bark and branches
twigs olive green to brown, later reddish brown, bark very dark grey
Leaf
elongated-oval to obovate, pinnately cleft, glossy dark green, 15 - 25 cm
Autumn colour
orange, red
Flowers
golden coloured ♂ catkins, May
Fruits
ovoid acorn, 1 - 2 cm, single or in pairs, cupule with thin contiguous scales
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
dry, limy
Soil moisture
suitable for dry soil
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
5a (-28,8 to -26,1 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind, resistant to de-icing salt
Application
industrial areas
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Eastern USA
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree calcareous soil clay soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates no paving resistant to de-icing salt resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for dry soil can withstand wind broad ovoid 1st size , taller than 12 metres half-open crown green yellow average growing Attractive autumn colour non-toxic (usually)
Frequently asked questions
Quercus velutina

Quercus velutina can eventually reach a height of 20 - 30 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Quercus velutina is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 20 - 30 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The leaves of Quercus velutina turn orange, red in autumn.

The right time to plant Quercus velutina is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Quercus velutina with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Quercus velutina blooms in may.
General

Yes, we deliver to the UK. Delivery costs depend on the region and the total order value. Below, you’ll find all the details.

Delivery charges for private customers are calculated based on your region and are visible during the checkout process. We also offer discounts based on the total value of your order:

  • Orders over £1,000: Receive a 50% discount on delivery costs.
  • Orders over £2,000: Delivery is completely free.

Yes, for trees with a size of 50-60 cm girth or larger, additional delivery charges apply due to the need for specialised transport. These costs will be calculated separately and shared with you after your order is placed. We will contact you to discuss the transport options and costs.

Once you add items to your basket and proceed to the checkout, the system will calculate the delivery charges for your region. If your order qualifies for any discounts, they will automatically be applied.

For any questions or specific delivery requests, feel free to contact our customer service team. We’re happy to help arrange the best delivery solution for your order.