Considered one of the biggest trees in the world, there are about more than 600 species of oak trees found in different parts of the world. They belong to the Quercus genus inclusive of borth deciduous and evergreen tree species. Quercus is derived from a Latin name meaning ‘Oak’.

Here are some of the notable facts about Oak Trees:

• White oak trees have separate looking male and female flowers. The former resemble greenish yellow catkins, are up to 4 inches long and hang from twigs while the latter grow in the form of reddish spikes.
• Leaves of white oak trees stay on in winter and provide shelter for many small mammals and birds. Many birds use the twigs of this tree to make their nest.
• In the dry prairie grasslands bur oaks are commonly found and are considered commercially valuable for their acorn production.
• Since bur oaks are of the hardy kind capable of surviving in the driest of conditions, they are used as shade trees and shelterbelt plantings as well. Bur oaks have even grown on the mine spoils of Kansas in USA.
• Common wildlife that seeks shelter and food from bur oaks include squirrels, cottontails, mice, wood ducks and deer.
• In the whole of North America, the largest acorn species are produced by Bur oaks and was named the Tree of the Year by City Trees magazine because of its toleration levels to pollution.
• The Quercusvirginianaor more commonly the evergreen Coast Live Oak is native to Texas and grows large in size reaching heights of about 50 feet. It has a short stout trunk with a diameter of more than 4 feet.
• The trunks of Coast Live Oaks often form twisting limbs and spread to as far as 100 feet and touch the ground in open surroundings.
• In early 18th century, the naturally curved trunks and limbs of the Live Oak trees were popularly used by shipbuilders for fashioning and planking tall sailing ships.
• Live Oaks in Texas that were infected by diseases like oak wilt fungus made their trunks look more naturally beautiful and were cut into specialty pieces for use in ships.
• A deciduous oak tree, known as the Turkey or Scrub oak is commonly found in the sand dunes and hilly areas and is capable of attracting a lot of wildlife.  This oak is also drought tolerant and has high resistance to strong winds.
• Turkey oak trees are popularly found in Virginia, Central Florida, and southeastern Louisiana.
• The acorns produced by Turkey oaks are a source of food for many animals like the white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
• Timber produced by turkey oaks are used for construction purposes like barbecue, fuel wood etc. The pollen produced by these trees can cause allergy to many people.
• Oak trees can die as a result of being infected by certain pathogenic resulting in Sudden Oak Death. The disease spreads rapidly and is estimated to cause widespread loss of oak trees.

Oak trees symbolize strength and endurance and considered holy in many mythologies and religions.