What does an oak tree look like in autumn: description, photo

Oak

The oak is a mighty, spreading tree with heavy, gnarled branches. It grows in the Northern Hemisphere. It can be found in every European country, including Ukraine and Scotland. Legends still circulate about the oak's longevity. This tree can live for 500 years or more, reaching a height of up to 40 meters. In summer, it is adorned with a crown of light green, jagged leaves, but in autumn, its appearance is completely different.

What does an oak tree look like in autumn?

The oak tree, found in the forest in autumn, retains its stunning beauty. Its foliage changes from green to bright yellow. During the first months of autumn, its leaves are amber-yellow. As winter approaches, they dry up and turn brown.

This is interesting!

Among the long-lived oaks, there are specimens that are over 1000 years old.

By October, many forest trees shed their brightly colored robes and are left completely bare. The autumn oak is in no hurry to part with its leaves. Even if its leaves turn dry and brown, they cling tightly to the branches, remaining there until the following spring.

If a tree grows deep in the forest, it feels crowded among other deciduous plants. Its trunk begins to stretch and thin. But if it grows in a spacious clearing, it becomes a mighty beauty. Its thick trunk gives the tree a squat and stocky appearance. Its branches, spreading in all directions, form a lush crown adorned with carved foliage.

When someone encounters such an oak tree in autumn, they may be moved to describe it and share their impressions with friends. Many people, struck by the beauty of this tree, post stunning photos online: sometimes words alone are not enough.

The deorevo grows strictly vertically, and its roots penetrate deep into the soil, supporting the oak tree in an upright position. It withstands attacks by caterpillars and other harmful insects. Even if they completely destroy its foliage, this mighty giant will still survive and grow a new, lush crown.

If a tree is cut down, after a while new leaves will appear on the stump. These will quickly develop into shoots that will reach for the sun. The strongest branch will eventually become the trunk of a new oak tree.

Types of oak

Despite autumn, many oak trees remain covered in brownish-yellow leaves that cling tightly to the branches. What's their secret? There are different types of these trees. They are popularly distinguished as follows: winter oak and summer oak. Summer oaks put out their leaves along with other trees, which fall in October-November. Winter oaks' leaves appear much later and last longer. When the first frosts arrive, they dry up, turning into a wondrous herbarium created by nature itself. The dried leaves continue to hang on the branches, untouched by wind and other inclement weather.

Note!

Winter oaks were once planted in shelterbelts that protected fields. Their foliage retained snow and reduced wind speed.

In our latitudes, 19 varieties of these trees are recognized. Winter oaks and summer oaks are common in central Russia. Some oaks take firm root on rocks. These are called sessile oaks or sessile oaks. The crown of the sessile oak grows tall and straight, and the trunk is much thinner than that of its forest counterparts. The sessile oak grows up to 30 meters in height and lives for about 800 years. It can be found as a solitary tree on any hilly elevation.

Red oak is found in North America. Its leaves are thin and glossy, deeply notched. Each leaf surface has pointed, lobed edges.

Interesting fact!

The leaves of the North American oak are bright red, not green.

These trees also come in other varieties:

weeping;
marsh;
petiolate;
Georgian;
long-legged;
chestnut-leaved;
Mongolian.

Oak bark

Oak bark contains tannins, which are used in medicine and the leather industry. In Russia, leather was processed exclusively with oak bark. This leather processing was called tanning. This term was even used when the leather was treated with other compounds (willow bark or chromium salts).

Beneficial properties

Oak bark isn't the only tree with beneficial properties. For example, acorns are used to treat intestinal disorders, hernias, and skin conditions.

Oak leaves have a pleasant aroma and prevent rot. The tree's branches are used to make aromatic bath whisks. The leaves are used to line tubs for pickling. The resulting preserves do not turn sour and become especially delicious.