Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra, commonly called red oak or northern red oak, is a medium sized, deciduous tree with a rounded to broad-spreading, often irregular crown. Typically grows at a moderate-to-fast rate to a height of 50-75' (often larger in the wild). Dark, lustrous green leaves (grayish-white beneath) with 7-11, toothed lobes which are sharply pointed at the tips. Leaves turn brownish-red in autumn. Insignificant flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring. Fruits are acorns (with flat, saucer-shaped cups) which mature in early fall. An abundant crop of acorns may not occur before this tree reaches 40 years old. Typically occurs on northern- and eastern-facing wooded slopes.
Larval Host for the
Gray Hairstreak Butterfly
50-75'
50-75'
SIZE
SOIL
Medium, Dry, Fertile, Sandy, Well-Drained
LIGHT
Full Sun
BENEFITS
Butterfiles, Hummingbirds
NOTES
Wonderful for pollinators!
CHARACTERISTICS
Low Maintenance, Keystone Species, Showy Branches, Fall Color
May
Large Tree
This
flowers in
Red Oak
Quercus rubra
DETAIL VIEW
DESCRIPTION
Quercus rubra, commonly called red oak or northern red oak, is a medium sized, deciduous tree with a rounded to broad-spreading, often irregular crown. Typically grows at a moderate-to-fast rate to a height of 50-75' (often larger in the wild). Dark, lustrous green leaves (grayish-white beneath) with 7-11, toothed lobes which are sharply pointed at the tips. Leaves turn brownish-red in autumn. Insignificant flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring. Fruits are acorns (with flat, saucer-shaped cups) which mature in early fall. An abundant crop of acorns may not occur before this tree reaches 40 years old. Typically occurs on northern- and eastern-facing wooded slopes.