Oak Trees by Janice Broda

Spring is here, and our oak trees have begun to replace their old leaves and to flower simultaneously.  Oak flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, but the hanging golden clusters of flowers called catkins impart a bronze or golden color to the entire oak. 

Florida is home to approximately 26 species of oak trees, some of which grow only in the Panhandle.  Eight oak species grow in Indian River County, and live oaks (Quercus virginiana) and laurel oaks (Quercus laurifolia) are the species most commonly used in landscaping.  Oak trees are vital to birds and other wildlife for food and cover. 

Acorns are relatively high in carbohydrates and are abundant on the ground in autumn and winter when other plant food sources are not available.  Birds that feed on acorns include endangered scrub jays, blue jays, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, wood ducks, mallards ducks, woodpeckers, and crows.  Mammals including white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, fox squirrels, flying squirrels, mice, voles, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, gray foxes, red foxes, bears, and wild hogs also feast upon acorns.  

Oak leaves also are a food source for mammals and for insects.  Deer and rabbits browse on the leaves, twigs, and young shoots of oaks.  Many species of insects feed on oak leaves, and several species of moth larvae feed only upon oak leaves.  During this time of year, migratory birds rest in oak canopies and search the branches, leaves, catkins, and hanging spanish moss for insects.

Many birds and mammals conceal their nests from predators in the dense foliage of oak trees and even use oak foliage in nest construction.  Fallen oak leaves shelter the many small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that live in the leaf litter that accumulates beneath oaks.  Raking and removing oak leaves diminishes this habitat and breaks up the circle of life in which decomposed leaves fortify the soil and re-nourish the oak..

Self-mulching during the spring when new leaves replace old, oak trees can be an excellent addition to your landscape, if you have sufficient space.  Not all oaks are of equal value to wildlife.  Wildlife prefers white oaks like live oaks to red oaks like laurel oaks.  The acorns of white oaks ripen in one year and are relatively sweeter, while the acorns of red oak require two years to mature and are more bitter.