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Woody > Quercus > Quercus coccinea > Quercus coccinea

Quercus coccinea


Scarlet Oak




Origin:  Eastern United States of America and southern Canada.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

It is a tree tolerant of poor soil conditions and will grow quite easily in Ontario. The autumn colours can be attractive, but I don't see many other strong attributes. It can sometimes be confused with Q. palustris and Q. rubra.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Fagaceae
Genus
Quercus
Species
coccinea
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
Canadian Hardiness Zone
2a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7 - H3
Temperature (°C)
(-32) - (-1)
Temperature (°F)
(-25) - 30
Height
20-30 m
Spread
10-15 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
AprilMay
General Description
A medium-large oak with an open, rounded crown and bright red autumn colour. This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
Landscape
It is planted for ornamental purposes (park, street, garden) and sometimes a shade tree. It is fairly popular mainly for its bright red autumn colour.
Cultivation
Slightly acidic, sandy and well-drained soils in full sun.
Shape
Slightly pyramidal when young, round when mature.
Growth
Medium
ID Characteristic
The leaves have deep c-shaped sinuses between the lobes. It has bright red autumn colour.
Pests
Susceptible to oak wilt. Main pests are: oak leafteaters, fall cankerworms, forest tent caterpillars and the gypsy moth.
Habitat
Dry upland forests, usually on ridges and slopes at an altitude of approximately 1,500 m.
Bark/Stem Description
The bark is dark gray to dark brown, finely fissured and scaly ridges with reddish-brown twigs.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Ovoid, pointed and hairy, dark reddish-brown, 4-7 mm in length.
Leaf Description
Leaves are alternate, simple, oblong or elliptic, with deep-sinuses. They are glossy and smooth on both top and bottom. The top is dark green and the undersides are paler green with small turfs of hairs sometimes appearing in the vein axils, 7-20 x 5-13 cm.
Flower Description
Monoecious tree. Males are drooping yellow catkins, 6-8 cm. Females are fewer and appear in axils of new leaves.
Fruit Description
Acorn, oval, reddish-brown, 1.2-2.5 cm long, a third to half of it is covered by a cap.
Colour Description
It is glossy dark green in the summer and typically scarlet in autumn (when exposed to cold nights).
Texture Description
Medium to coarse.
Notable Specimens
The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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