The oak trees produce acorns which are nuts or seeds. There are above 60 varieties of Oaks. The leaves, bark and acorns possess tannin which is an acidic chemical that has pungent taste and is an astringent. Oak contains high amount of tannin. White oak contains least amount of tannin in comparison to the red and black varieties. The early spring leaves and buds have high tannin content if compared to the mature leaves. The acorns are the vital food source for the animals such as squirrels, bear, deer and birds. The acorn was regarded as the dietary food for the peoples of North America.
| Name |
Oak Nuts |
| Scientific Name |
Quercus |
| Native |
Northern Hemisphere |
| Common/English Name |
Acorn, Chinquapin oak, Chinkapin oak, Yellow chestnut oak, English oak, Pedunculate Oak |
| Name in Other Languages |
Spanish: Enico;
Nahuatl: Ahoatl |
| Plant Growth Habit |
Evergreen or deciduous, tree or shrub |
| Growing Climate |
Temperate |
| Soil |
Slightly acidic, well-drained |
| Plant Size |
Height:70 feet; Width: 9 feet |
| Branches |
Length:135 feet |
| Leaf |
Arranged spirally, simple, alternate |
| Flowering Season |
Mid Spring |
| Flower |
Yellow to green, monoecious; Length: 1-3 inches |
| Fruit shape & size |
Length: 1/2-1 1/2 inches; Round-tapered |
| Nut |
Length: 1/2-1 1/2 inches; Round-tapered |
| Nut color |
Green, brown, yellow |
| Taste |
Bland or bitter |
| Seed |
One seed rarely two or three, tough, leathery shell, cup shaped cupule |
| Varieties/Types |
Deciduous Varieties:
- Pin Oak Tree
- Sawtooth Oak Tree
- Quercus palustris
- Quercus acutissima
- Quercus phellos
- Willow Oak Tree
- White Oak Tree
- Water Oak Tree
- Quercus alba
- Quercus nigra
- Quercus laevis
- Turkey Oak Tree
- Swamp Chestnut Oak Tree
- Shummard Oak Tree
- Quercus michauxii
- Quercus shummardii
- Quercus rubra
- Red Northern Oak Tree
- Red Southern Oak Tree
- Post Oak Tree
- Quercus falcate
- Quercus stellata
Evergreen Oaks:
- Laurel Oak Tree
- Darlington Laurel Oak Tree
- Quercus laurifolia
- Quercus hemisphaerica
Semi-Evergreen:
- Sand Live Oak Tree
- Live Oak Tree
|
| Major Nutritions (Raw) |
Copper, Cu 0.176 mg (19.56%)
Total Fat (lipid) 6.76 g (19.31%)
Manganese, Mn 0.379 mg (16.48%)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.15 mg (11.54%)
Carbohydrate 11.55 g (8.88%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 25 µg (6.25%)
Isoleucine 0.081 g (4.84%)
Tryptophan 0.021 g (4.77%)
Valine 0.098 g (4.64%)
Magnesium, Mg 18 mg (4.29%) |
| Health Benefits |
- Healthy skin
- Assist digestion
- Prevents diabetes
- Healthy heart
- Level of energy
- Healthy bones
- Metabolic activities
- Assist healing
|
| Calories in 1 oz (28.35 gm) |
110 Kcal. |
| Traditional uses |
- It possesses an anti-inflammatory, astringent, tonic and haemostatic properties.
- A bark decoction helps to treat chronic diarrhea, dysentery, haemorrhages, etc.
- It is used to bathe wounds, sweaty feet, skin eruptions, piles, etc.
- It is also used to treat diarrhea, rectal bleeding and dysentery.
- It is also a treatment for chilblains and frostbite.
- An infusion treats liver inflammation and tuberculosis.
- The leaves are used as diuretic and help to strengthen stomach.
|
| Precautions |
- The acorns and leaves possess high amount of toxin tannic acid which damages kidneys and gastroenteritis.
- The symptoms are depression, lack of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, colic and blood in urine.
|
| How to Eat |
- Acorns are consumed as a food source.
- During famine it is consumed by Japanese and Ancient Greek.
- It is regarded as staple food.
- Jelly is made from acorns.
- The seeds are used as a substitute for almond.
- The dried ones are used to thicken stews.
|
| Other Facts |
- The tree absorbs 50 gallons of water per day.
- Female flowers are smaller.
- Acorns are produced at the age of 20-50 years.
- Acorns are consumed by pigeons, pigs, duck, deer, mice and squirrels.
- Oak represents endurance and strength and is the national plant of USA, France, England, Poland, Germany, Latvia and Serbia.
- Oaks lives for 200 years but some exists for more than thousand years.
- The white oak is the tallest species of oak.
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