To view more pictures on this plant, click the "All Images" tab above.
To view or mark new locations where this plant can be found, click the "Locations" tab above.
Scientific Name:Quercus species
Common Name(s): Oak
Edible: yes
Medicinal: no
Parts Used: fruit
Ted 30 Jan, 2010
Some white oak varieties can be quite palletable without doing anything!(I had a post oak in my yard once you could eat just fine without any preperation!)I would suggest giving them a taste,if bitter boil in several changes of water.You'll need two pans of water for this.You'll want to drain them and immediatly put back in more boling water.Letting them cool will set the bitterness!Between changes leave a sample out to taste.Continue the changes until the bitterness is gone. This may take 4 or 5 changes with some.You shouldn't have to boil more than a few mins between changes. 5 min would be plenty.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
CAUTION--Tannic acid gives the acorns their bitter taste. Eating an excessive amount of acorns high in tannic acid can lead to kidney failure. Before eating acorns, leach out this chemical.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
Description: Oak trees have alternate leaves and acorn fruits. There are two main groups of oaks: red and white. The red oak group has leaves with bristles and smooth bark in the upper part of the tree. Red oak acorns take 2 years to mature. The white oak group has leaves without bristles and a rough bark in the upper portion of the tree. White oak acorns mature in 1 year.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
Habitat and Distribution: Oak trees are found in many habitats throughout North America, Central America, and parts of Europe and Asia.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
Edible Parts: All parts are edible, but often contain large quantities of bitter substances. White oak acorns usually have a better flavor than red oak acorns. Gather and shell the acorns. Soak red oak acorns in water for 1 to 2 days to remove the bitter substance. You can speed up this process by putting wood ashes in the water in which you soak the acorns. Boil the acorns or grind them into flour and use the flour for baking. You can use acorns that you baked until very dark as a coffee substitute.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
Other Uses: Oak wood is excellent for building or burning. Small oaks can be split and cut into long thin strips (3 to 6 millimeters thick and 1.2 centimeters wide) used to weave mats, baskets, or frameworks for packs, sleds, furniture, etc. Oak bark soaked in water produces a tanning solution used to preserve leather.