Red Oak

Scientific name

Quercus rubra

Description

The Red Oak, also referred to as the Northern Red Oak or Champion Oak, is a slow growing, hardwood, deciduous tree found throughout Eastern and areas of Central Ontario. This species can grow to be quite tall reaching 30m and has a single, large trunk. The bark is smooth, dark gray in colour, and develops deep ridges with age. The crown of the Red Oak is created by several main branches as well as horizontal and ascending branches. It is uneven and irregular, but generally round in form. Leaves produced are between 10-20 cm long with 7-9 sharp and pointed lobes. During the summer, the leaves are a dull green but in the fall turn a brilliant deep red to yellow-orange. The Red Oak is monoecious, producing male and female flowers on the same tree. Male flowers produced are hanging catkins growing from the leaf axils of the previous year, while the female flowers are grown from the leaf axils of the current year. Fruiting bodies produced by this species are 3 cm long, round shaped acorns with a scaly cap covering a quarter of the body. Red Oak Acorns require approximately two years to reach maturation.

Planting conditions

Prefers dry, sunny slopes. Moderately shade-tolerant. Grows best on deep, fertile, well-drained but moist, fine-textured soils with a relatively high water table. Can also grow on shallow clay, gravel, or stony soil.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Drought Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
  • 7b
• Plant type:
  • Tree
• Height:
  • 30m
• Spread:
  • 3m