Oak

There are about 600 species of oak trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus of the beech family, Fagaceae. They occur mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, and include deciduous and evergreen species extending from temperate to tropical latitudes in Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum), Oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum) and powdery mildew are common diseases to befall this species. Root rot in older trees, wood-borer beetles, the larvae of butterfly species and galls are other problems that oaks have to contend with.