Oaks are one of the defining tree species in our world, with a long and fascinating history. Charles Darwin considered the nature of oak species to be “a thorny problem”, but new genetic research suggests that we have come to a nuanced understanding of the oak species concept. This seminar will demystify the genus Quercus by walking through the branches of the oak tree of life. You will discover more about the natural history of oaks and the role they serve at the ecosystem level, including how current research aims to shed light on the ecological role of hybridization.