Quercus acerifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quercus acerifolia |
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Quercus
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acerifolia
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The Quercus acerifolia, also known as the maple-leaf oak, is a special and rare type of oak tree. It belongs to the red oak group within the beech family. This tree is found only in one specific place: the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, a state in the south-central United States.
The name acerifolia means "maple-leaved." This is because its leaves look a lot like those of a maple tree! Even though they are technically divided into five parts (lobes), the two middle parts are much bigger. This makes the leaves appear like a maple leaf at first glance. The maple-leaf oak can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 15 meters (about 50 feet).
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Why Maple-Leaf Oaks Are Important
Maple-leaf oaks are considered an endangered species. This means there are not many of them left in the wild.
Protecting Their Home
One of the biggest dangers to the maple-leaf oak is habitat loss. This happens when the places where these trees naturally grow are destroyed or changed. For example, land might be cleared for buildings or farms. Protecting their natural homes is super important to help these rare trees survive.
Where You Can Find Them Growing
Even though they are rare in the wild, some groups of maple-leaf oaks are being grown in special places. One notable spot is the Stephens Lake Park Arboretum in Columbia, Missouri. These efforts help scientists study the trees and work to protect them for the future.
See also
In Spanish: Quercus acerifolia para niños
