Northern Red Oak

Red Oak ~ Quercus rubra

This tree would be found in a small old cemetery nearby, down a trail through the woods near the school. It's a very common species of oak found in New England. It was once defoliated by gypsy moths but has been partially controlled by a bacterium. In the wild, it can be in any forest or woodland. This is one of my favorite oaks because of its separate male and female catkins appearing around springtime. A benefit of this species is it serves its function as a dwelling for raccoons and other mammals and provides acorns as a food source.