Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Fagaceae
Botanical Name
Quercus rubra var. rubra
Plant Common Name
Northern Red Oak
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The most commonly occurring type or form of red oak, var. rubra has larger acorns than those of var. ambigua, with shallower cups. Its leaves are also slightly larger.
The northern red oak is a tall, adaptable, deciduous shade tree valued for its fine lumber and beauty. Mature trees develop a broad, rounded crown and strong, upright central leader with easy-to-identify bark with wide, shallow fissures that are light gray-brown on top and dark brown in the fissures. It is native to areas east of the Great Plains to the Atlantic Ocean, including extreme southeastern Canada. Norther red oak naturally inhabits upland hardwood forests, slopes and ravines. Unlike many northern hardwood trees, it is relatively fast-growing.
Its large leaves are dark-green and distinctly lobed with sharp bristles at the tips. In autumn, they turn deep red to orange-red. If trees suffer inadequate growing conditions over summer, foliage may turn a dull red-brown or yellow-brown. The insignificant flowers of northern red oak appear in spring. These are followed by many chestnut-brown acorns that appear in fall and are eaten by wildlife. Red oak foliage is eaten by the larvae of the gray hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus).
This tree performs well sites with full to partial sun and well-drained, average to fertile soil. Though it tends to grow best in soil with a slightly acid to neutral pH, it will also tolerate some alkalinity. It is moderately pollution, drought and salt tolerant but requires a lot of room to grow. In the landscape red oak is best grown as a shade tree for naturalistic landscapes, parks and large yards.
This and other species in the red oak group are susceptible to the lethal vascular disease, oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum). Oak wilt can be spread by root grafts or is vectored by oak bark and sap feeding beetles. Other fungal cankers and rots can also damage red oak.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
2 - 9
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Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
60'-80' / 18.3m - 24.4m (70)
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Width
60'-70' / 18.3m - 21.3m (60)
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Canada
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
