leytonjfreid's Journal

General:

1. An Updated Infrageneric Classification of the North American Oaks (Quercus Subgenus Quercus) 2021

Sect. Lobatae:

1. The evolution and diversification of the red oaks of the California Floristic Province (Quercus section Lobatae, series Agrifoliae) 2017
2. HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN QUERCUS AGRIFOLIA AND Q. WISLIZENII (FAGACEAE) 1974
3. SELECTION AND DISPERSAL IN A MULTISPECIES OAK HYBRID ZONE 2003
4. Identifying Evergreen Hybrids in the California Red Oaks 2020

Sect. Quercus:

1. Phylogeny and Introgression of California Scrub White Oaks (Quercus section Quercus) 2016

Sometimes Quercus hybrids can be quite difficult to determine, but doing a detailed analysis can prove the parentage of an individual or reveal new information. Thankfully the only tools you'll need for this are a measurement device using millimeters and a macro lens (although a microscope makes this much easier). I recommend checking what measurements are actually useful for what you're IDing, as most of the time you won't need most of these factors. I recommend comparing this information to the pages on Flora of North America or similar regional databases.

Anyways, here's my list:

General:
Deciduous or evergreen
Number of trunks
Height
Trunk diameter (in inches) at 4.5'. This is called the Diameter Breast Height or DBH, not often used

Bark:
Color
Texture

Twigs:
Color
Diameter (mm)
Pubescence

Buds:
Color
Shape
Diameter (mm)
Pubescence
Length

Leaves:
Petiole color
Petiole length (mm)
Leaf shape
Leaf length and width (mm)
Base shape
Margin shape
Amount of lobes
Sinus depths (mm)
Secondary veins per side (often different from the number of lobes)
Apex shape
Lobe apex shape
Abaxial color
Abaxial pubescence (hair density, type, and number of rays)
Adaxial color
Adaxial pubescence (hair density, type, and number of rays)
Thickness

Acorns:
Sessile/pedunculate
Number of acorns per group
Cup shape
Cup depth (mm)
Cup width (mm)
Cup pubescence
How much of the nut the cap encases
Scale color
Scale shape
Scale pattern
Nut wall thickness
Nut shape
Nut length and diameter (mm)
Nut pubescence
Nut color
Apex shape
Scar diameter

I hope you found this useful and if you know of any other qualities useful for ID please comment them.