How to Draw an Oak Tree

In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw an Oak Tree in 5 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.

The images above represents how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.

Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.

At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Oak Tree.

Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.

How to Draw an Oak Tree - Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: First, draw the roots of the tree. The roots almost look like dull spikes. Draw a slanted line going down into a rounded spike. Draw about three more spaced out and connect them with small lines.

Step 2: Next, you are going to add detail to the roots and then draw the trunk. For the details on the roots, just draw some curved lines that are pretty small all along your roots. For the trunk, draw a curved line going up starting from the top of your root on the left side. Do the same thing for the root on the right side. Make sure the curved lines are going to same way but do not connect them at the top of the trunk.

Step 3: Now, draw the branches. Coming out of one side of the trunk towards the top, draw a straight line going out and then up a little. Leave a little space and draw another straight line below it but this time make it a little longer than the first. Go up with that line as well. It should look almost like a bubble letter “L”. Repeat on the other side. Add a few lines throughout the branch to give it detail.

Step 4: Now you’re ready to draw the twigs. From where your branch is left open at the top, draw small slanted lines coming out. Do the same for the other branch.

Step 5: To finish, draw the leaves. You’re going to draw an oval around the tree, but instead of just drawing a line, use small humps instead. Add a few curved, humped lines in the inside of the tree to show the detail of the leaves.

Interesting Facts about Oak Trees

Oak Trees are common trees that are grown because they are so strong. They make good shields against the wind. Oak Trees are wide trees that make great shade. They grow to about 70 feet tall and 9 feet wide. The branches on an Oak Tree can be 135 feet long! An Oak Tree leaf is very recognizable. It is long and narrow at the bottom with a wide knobby top. Oak leaves have lobes, but some are flat, while some have sharp edges. Oak Trees produce acorns, which hold the seeds for future trees. Lots of animals like squirrels and birds live in Oaks and eat the acorns. If an Oak Tree produces acorns it can be certain that the tree is at least 20 years old.

Did you know?

  • Oak Trees can live up to 200 years. Sometimes they can live longer.
  • In the wine and spirits industry, oak wood is used to make barrels. The barrels are stored away and the liquor takes on the taste of the barrel.
  • Older Oak Trees can consume up to 50 gallons of water a day!
  • The Oak Tree is the national symbol of lots of countries including the United States, Germany, France, and Serbia.
  • The universal symbol of the Oak Tree means strength.

Lesson Plan Note: While studying the Oak Tree why not cross over the subject into literature. Many cultures have stories and mythologies about the Oak Tree. A more common one is the Norse legend that explains the Oak Tree was scared to the thunder god Thor.