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Woody > Quercus > Quercus rubra > Quercus rubra

Quercus rubra


Red Oak




Origin:  Eastern North America.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

A native plant of exceptional character, the Red Oak turns a bright red in autumn and often retains its leaves into the winter months. It is an upland species found in climax forests along scree and sandy ridges and lean soil areas. It is often used in park and commercial landscape developments. Leaves, in cultivated specimens often remain clean throughout the season and it seems tolerant of minor urban conditions. Its broadly pyramidal form in late autumn colour can be a striking accent in large park-like landscapes.



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

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Family
Fagaceae
Genus
Quercus
Species
rubra
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
Canadian Hardiness Zone
2a - 8a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7 - H4
Temperature (°C)
(-32) - (-7)
Temperature (°F)
(-25) - 20
Height
25-30 m
Spread
10 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
May
Landscape
Specimen, street or lawn tree.
Cultivation
Well drained lighter soils that are slightly acidic, although I have rarely seen it experience problems with iron deficiency.
Shape
Somewhat rounded crown, regular in appearance.
Growth
Fast
ID Characteristic
Deeply lobed leaves turning an intense red in autumn and persisting into the winter and remaining often unblemished.
Pests
Seldom a problem in cultivation.
Habitat
Found at altitudes of 0-1,800 m.
Bark/Stem Description
Smooth when young and dull grey in colour, developing slight ridges and furrows as it matures.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Oval shaped buds to about 7 mm, dark brown to reddish brown in colour. Slightly tomentose.
Leaf Description
Simple leaves, alternate in arrangement to about 22 cm long. Lustrous dark green and paler on the underside, turning deep red and then brown in the autumn. Persisting into the winter months. Often up to eleven lobes but frequently less, with a sharp apex.
Flower Description
Catkins, 5-8 cm in length.
Fruit Description
A squat acorn (3 cm) often solitary or in pairs and takes two years to reach maturity.
Colour Description
Shiny green and turning red in the autumn.
Texture Description
Medium.
Notable Specimens
Weldon Library, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
Propagation
Commonly through seed, although the seed is recalcitrant (will not store). Seeds should be placed in a fridge for 60 days at 5°C before being sown.
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