red oak
Quercus rubra
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 8
Flowers:
Yellowish-green Flowers In Spring
Sun:
Full sun
Soil:
Sandy Clay Rocky
Fruits:
red,yellow,brown,gray,tan,gray Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,red,yellow,orange
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Red oaks should be watered deeply once every 2 to 3 weeks during the spring and summer months. During the fall and winter, deep watering should happen only once a month or if the soil is very dry. During all seasons, water should be checked 1-2 inches below the soil surface before watering. About 5 gallons of water should be applied per inch of the diameter of the tree trunk, with water being applied slowly over the entire area of the root zone. The soil should be thoroughly soaked, allowing water to penetrate 8-12 inches deep in the soil.
sunlight
Red Oak (Quercus rubra) needs full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day) for best growth and development. Direct sunlight is most important in the early morning and in the late afternoon. Too much direct sunlight during the middle of the day can be damaging for this species, as it may cause sunburn on the leaves. If possible, trees should be planted in a spot that gets dappled sun, rather than full sun, during the hottest part of the day (i.e. midday).
pruning
Red Oaks (Quercus rubra) should be pruned in early winter or late fall (February to March). Pruning should be as selective and minimal as possible to avoid stressing the tree. Remove deadwood, any seriously broken limbs, and limbs that grow inward toward the center of the tree. Small limbs should be pruned back to their junction with a larger branch. Prune to shape or thin the tree, removing no more than 1/3 of the live branches in a single year. Be careful not to prune or remove too much of the overall canopy of the tree.
