09/29/2026
OAKTOBER: All oaks species can be placed in one of two groups: the white oak group and the red oak group. Red oak group species have lobed leaves with fine projections at the end of the lobes, often referred to as bristle tips. The acorns they produce mature after 2 years, are bitter, and typically have caps with tight, flat scales. Some of the more common species from this group include northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black oak (Quercus velutina), and pin oak (Quercus palustris). While their acorns are less preferable to wildlife than acorns from the white oak group due to their bitter taste, red oak group acorns do not sprout as quickly and are frequently cached by rodents to eat when other food is scarce.
Follow the Indiana DNR Division of Forestry as we explore Indiana’s amazing oaks and what we can do to promote their growth!
dnr.IN.gov/forestry/