Quercus aka Oak

Quercus, commonly known as oak, is a tree or shrub belonging to the genus Quercus and the beech family, Fagaceae. With approximately 500 extant species, oaks are native to the Northern Hemisphere and can be found in cool temperate to tropical regions of the Americas, Asia, Europe, and North Africa. The largest number of oak species is found in North America, particularly Mexico and the United States, while China boasts a significant diversity as well. Oaks can be both deciduous and evergreen, and their leaves vary in shape and color, often displaying teeth along the edges. The European Oak (Quercus robur) and the American White Oak (Quercus alba) share similar appearances and characteristics, both growing to impressive heights of up to 40 meters and living for hundreds of years. Oak wood has been utilized for various purposes, such as construction, shipbuilding, toolmaking, and furniture production, since ancient times. The trees bear distinctive fruits called acorns, which are consumed by many wild animals. While some oak species are evergreen and not frost hardy, others are frost tolerant. Oaks are highly suitable for bonsai and generally easy to care for, although container-planted specimens require winter protection.