Oaks
Quercus laevis (KWER-kus LYE-viss)
The native Turkey Oak can grow as a small tree or shrub. Its native habitat is dry sandy and well-drained soils on ridges in the southeastern coastal plain, such as Carolina bay rims, old beach dunes, early Cenozoic deposits of the Sandhills Province, or inland from the coastal plain on dry ridges and slopes over quartzite or other acidic rock types. It commonly occurs as an understory tree of long-leaf pine forests. It is often considered a weed tree. The stout, spreading branches form a broad, irregular-shaped crown. The foliage is deeply and narrowly lobed causing the leaves with 3 lobes to resemble a turkey foot. Leaves are deciduous, but the brightly colored fall foliage stays on the tree well into winter. The height of 30-40 feet makes this tree able to be used as a shade for smaller yards in well-drained sites of the coastal and Piedmont areas. It is mildly resistant to browsing by deer and drought tolerant. It is a host plant for the larvae of the Imperial moth ( Eacles imperialis ) , as well as numerous butterflies, including Banded hairstreak ( Satyrium calanus ) , Edward's hairstreak ( Satyrium edwardsii ) , Gray hairstreak ( Strymon melinus ) , White-m hairstreak ( Parrhasius malbum ) , Horace's duskywing ( Erynnis horatius ) , and Juvenalis duskywing ( Erynnis juvenalis ) . Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Oaks, in general, are susceptible to a large number of diseases, including chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, anthracnose, oak leaf blister, cankers, leaf spots, and powdery mildew. This tree is highly susceptible to oak wilt. Potential insect pests include scale, oak skeletonizer, leaf miner, galls, oak lace bugs, borers, caterpillars and nut weevils. NOTE: The non-native Quercus cerris is also called Turkey Oak.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 74 attributes.