Species red oak
green leaves with yellow veins and brown branches

red oak

Quercus rubra

Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a sturdy, deciduous tree native to temperate regions of North America. It has a characteristic round canopy and bright, glossy foliage that turns yellow red in the fall. Red Oak develops deep, extensive root systems and is famed for its strong timber. It is a long-lived tree with an exceptionally high lifespan and can easily grow to over 100 feet tall. Its acorns are an important food source for a range of wildlife. Red Oak is a valued source of hardwood and is commonly used in the construction and furniture industries.

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.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Quercus rubra typically begins in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Red oak typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Quercus rubra typically begins in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map