This vintage botanical print from a book about North American trees and shrubs dates back to 1767. The artist was not identified but the author who discussed these oak leaves was Mark Catesby (1683 – 1749).
In the four panels, we have examples or red oak, willow oak, white oak and water oak leaves. As you can see, all four types of oak trees produce acorns. What surprised me was that two of the varieties had very simple leaves – none of the wonderful frilly, tooth-like edges that are generally identified with oak leaves.
You could easily separate each of the different types of leaves from each other or use it as a single image.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
