Woody > Quercus > Quercus rubra > Quercus rubra
Quercus rubra
Red Oak
Origin: Eastern North America.
Mike's
Opinion
"
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)
"
| 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
Cultivars
click to expand
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| 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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