

Oak Trees: A Field Guide. The oak is a leader of trees, a symbol of strength and endurance, and a generous host, with more than 600 known types.
The oak is a leader of trees, a symbol of strength and endurance, and a generous host, with more than 600 known types.
With a graceful spreading canopy, exceptionally hard wood, and an inescapable air of dominance, an oak is what most kindergarteners draw when someone says “tree.” Oak trees deserve a supportive landscape, with space for their extensive roots and majestic branches. English oak is Quercus robur, while in the United States different oaks characterize specific regions, from moss-draped Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) to its Mediterranean counterpart, holm oak (Quercus ilex).