Turkey Oak

Quercus laevis

Turkey Oak

27th March 2004

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fagaceae
Genus:
Quercus
Species:
Quercus laevis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
More than 40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may
Bloom Colors:
Yellow

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

almond bud moth (Acrobasis minimella), Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), Carpenterworm Moth (Prionoxystus robiniae), consular oakworm moth (Anisota consularis), Echo Moth (Seirarctia echo), Georgia Archips Moth (Archips georgiana), Hyparpax perophoroides, Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Io moth (Automeris io), maple-basswood leafroller (Sparganothis pettitana), Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), spotted oakworm moth (Anisota stigma), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Commonly found in sandy ridges and uplands

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.

Source: OpenAI GPT-4o