The Oaks of North America - Taxonomy, Ecology, and Identification Using Handheld Computers
Kevin Nixon

The genus Quercus (the oaks) are one of the most important genera of woody plants in the northern hemisphere. There are more than 200 species in the Western Hemisphere, with the greatest number of species in Mexico, and a similar number in the Old World, with a great concentration in China. Oaks are widely distributed from tropical forests in Central America to the southern margin of the boreal forests in southern Canada. They are found in wet and dry habitats, and have a large array of growth forms from tiny spreading shrubs to massive forest trees, from evergreen to subevergreen and deciduous. In the Ithaca area, we have approximately 25 species that can be seen either as native or cultivated.

In this exploration, we will first take a walk around the campus area and view and identify living oaks based on the characteristics of their leaves, fruit (the acorn), twigs and bark, and learn about their native distribution and ecological requirements. We will use interactive multientry keys running on handheld computers to aid in identification. Following the walk, we will return to the laboratory to view microscopic features of the leaves and fruits. Dr. Nixon contributed the taxonomic treatment (classification, descriptions, identification and maps) for the oak family (Fagaceae) for the recently published Volume 3 of Flora of North America and is currently completing a similar treatment for the oaks of Mexico and Central America.