Oftentimes, it is a smaller scrubby oak tree about 20 to 30 feet high, but it can be a more stately tree to 5o feet high. Its native range is from southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania down to northern Florida to east Texas & Oklahoma & Kansas, all Missouri, southeast Iowa to west central Illinois to southern Indiana and Ohio, growing in acid, sandy or dry upland soils. It is slow growing of about 1/2 to 1 foot/year and lives about 300 or more years. Its acorns are about 3/4 inch long that mature every two years. It develops a taproot so it is difficult to transplant. I've only seen a number of trees in the pine barrens of southern New Jersey where they all looked smaller and scrubby, but there is one tall, stately specimen at Jenkins Arboretum in southeast PA. Some native plant nurseries sell some in large pots.

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Fagaceae (black oak group)

Blackjack Oak grows in the eastern third of the state on acid sands, sandy loams, and clays. It grows to more than 50 feet tall and has distinctive large, three-lobed leaves that are club-shaped. It inhabits similar sites as Post Oak, Q. stellata, and is often considered an indicator of sandy, barren soils. It is drought tolerant, has dark green leaves and pleasing brown fall color, but it is very slow growing and intolerant of poorly draining or compacted soils. West of where the typical Blackjack Oak is found is a more xeric version that grows on sand or gravelly clay that is only slightly acidic.

Plant Habit or Use: small tree

Exposure: sun

Flower Color: catkins 4 to 5 in. long

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: acorn 3/4 in. long

Height: more than 50 ft.

Width: 15 to 40 ft.

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: high

Water Requirements: low

Soil Requirements: acid

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6

Additional Comments: