Recently, while hiking at Sheppard's Bush Conservation Area in Aurora, Ontario, I learned more about oak trees. Thanks to the plaques for some trees, I didn't have to do much encyclopedia searching. Here are the three that I was able to photograph. The first one is the Red Oak, also called Northern Red Oak or Champion Oak (Quercus rubra).
Some interesting features of the red oak leaf are its yellow-green color on both sides, sharp peaks, and round lobes (ranging from 7 to 11). The leaf is fairly thin and fragile, measuring 6-8 inches long and about 4-6 inches wide at its widest part.
The second oak tree I discovered that day was the Bur Oak or Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarpa). The Burr Oak has much thicker and slimmer leaves. The leaf is dark green, with a noticeable difference in color on both sides. The face-up side is dark green, while the underside is light grey-green and feels fuzzy and soft. There are distinct vein-like markings on the underside of the leaf. It is about the same size in length as the Red Oak but much slimmer and deeply lobed.
The third oak tree I noticed was the White Oak (Quercus alba). This oak has a similar but much different leaf structure. It lacks sharp peaks and has shallow lobes. The other side of the leaf, not exposed to the sun, is quite fuzzy. The leaf itself is thick and somehow robust.
...and then I photographed this insect. I'm not sure what it is.
~ Anna
...and then I photographed this insect. I'm not sure what it is.
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