A fast-growing oak with red autumn color and acorns with shallow caps. Red oaks support over 500 caterpillar species — among the most ecologically valuable native trees of eastern forests.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Quercus rubra, the northern red oak or common red oak, is an oak tree in the red oak group. It is a native of North America, in the eastern and central United States and southeast and south-central Canada. It has been introduced to small areas in Western Europe, where it can frequently be seen cultivated in gardens and parks. It prefers good soil that is slightly acidic. Often simply called red oak, northern red oak is so named to distinguish it from southern red oak (Q. falcata), also known as the Spanish oak.
Source: Wikipedia — Quercus rubra Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Tall tree with pointed-lobed leaves; gray bark; large acorns in shallow cups; 2-year acorn maturation.
Similar species. Other red oaks (different acorns or leaves). White Oak group (rounded lobes).
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Major tree of eastern hardwood forests. Among the most economically valuable native hardwoods.
§ Range
Eastern North America
§ Habitat
Deciduous forests, well-drained slopes, urban plantings
§ Threats
Oak wilt, gypsy moth defoliation, urban heat stress.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the northern red oak is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant red oak in yards. Support disease-tolerant cultivars. Maintain oak-dominated forests.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Quercus rubra
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Quercus rubra
- iNaturalist · taxon 49157
- IUCN Red List — search for Quercus rubra
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Quercus rubra
§ Sources cited
- USDA Forest Service Silvics Manual
