Quercus rubra

Northern Red Oak G. Lumis	Leaf of Red Oak G. Lumis	Bark of Red Oak G. Lumis

Family 
Fagaceae

Nativity
Canada, eastern to midwestern U.S. 

Growth Habits
Rounded, 60'-75' (100') tall x 40'-50' wide. Fast growth rate, up to 2' per year. 

Hardiness
Zone 4-8 

Culture
Sandy loam, acid soils in full sun. 

Landscape Use
Sturdy street tree tolerant of urban pollution; develops chlorosis in high pH soils. Easy to transplant. 

Foliage
Alternate, simple, 4"-8" long, 7-11 pointed lobes with shallow sinuses compared to Q. palustris and Q. coccinea. Emerge reddish, become dark-green in summer, turn variable reds in fall. 

Buds
Chestnut-brown, 1/6" - 1/3", sharply pointed. 

Bark
Steel-gray with ridges and furrows, often mingled with flattened gray areas on the larger branches and main trunk. 

Fruit
Nut (acorn) ¾" - 1" long with involucre (cup) covering about ¼ of nut. 

Propagation
Seed; hybridizes freely. 

Pests
Gypsy moth

Information provided by the University of Delaware Extension Service