Quercus rubra (Northern red oak)
Red oak description:
Quercus rubra, commonly known as the northern red oak, is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide. The trunk of the tree can have a diameter of up to 3 feet, and it typically has a straight, columnar shape. The bark is dark brown and deeply furrowed, giving the tree a rugged appearance.
The leaves of Quercus rubra are distinctive and easily recognizable. They are lobed and have a deep, rich green color in the summer, turning to shades of red and brown in the fall. The leaves can grow up to 8 inches long and 5 inches wide, and they are arranged alternately on the branches. The tree produces acorns that are about 1 inch long and have a distinctive cap covering the top.
Quercus rubra is a popular tree for landscaping and is commonly used in parks and large gardens. Its large size and attractive foliage make it an impressive specimen tree, and it is also a valuable timber tree. The wood of the northern red oak is strong, hard, and durable, and it is used for furniture, flooring, and other construction purposes. The tree is also important ecologically, providing food and habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, squirrels, and deer.
Native Range:
Red oak has a native range comprised mostly of the central and Eastern United States. It is found in some scattered Western states, but is certainly most common from Minnesota South to Alabama and Northeast to Maine.
Standard Plant Information:
Plant Height: 60-80'
Bloom time: May
Preferred Habitat: Does well in part shade to full sun with heavier, well drained soil.