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Quercus rubra

Quercus rubra

Red Oak, Nothern Red Oak, Champion oak

synonym Quercus borealis

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Description

Quercus rubra is a large, deciduous tree from the Eastern United States where it grows in different habitats and on a range of soils. Here, it often dominates the canopy with Fraxinus americana, Carya ovata, Magnolia acuminata, Cornus florida and Sassafras albidum. The red oak was first described in 1753 by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. It can grow approximately 30-35 metres tall. It has a straight trunk and develops a beautiful, round crown shape 15-20 metres across with heavy horizontal branches and forking in the crown.

The leaves of Quercus rubra are oval with pointed, triangular lobes on the edges. As they emerge, they get a beautiful red velvet colour, turning matt green in the summer and finally red or yellow-brown in October. The male flowers are small, yellow-green catkins, which appear before or along with the emerging new leaves. The round acorns have a flat cup with short scales. They are eaten by birds and mammals. The bark is grey-brown and retains its smoothness. In older trees grooves develop lengthways.   

Quercus rubra is the fastest-growing red oak in Europe and is often planted as a major timber producer. However, it is also a suitable tree for large gardens and parks where there is a lot of space for it to develop into a monumental specimen. It grows on various soil types just as long as they have good drainage. In common with other species of oaks, it also puts down a deep taproot from a young age. It is a moderately quick-growing tree, perfectly hardy and also withstands cold winters and dry summers. Whilst tolerant of light pruning it does not respond well.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees shade trees woodland planting stock

Topiary on stem

fval roof-trained fval pollard fval espalier fval pleached

Topiary

archway archway

Use

Location

street avenue park central reservation large garden traffic areas, industrial zones countryside

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

climate planting landscape planting solid planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

25 - 30 m

Width

20 - 25 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

birds small mammals

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerates air pollution tolerates heat

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Quercus rubra? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Quercus rubra standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Quercus rubra standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Quercus rubra standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Quercus rubra standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Quercus rubra multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Quercus rubra multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Quercus rubra multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Quercus rubra multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Quercus rubra multi-stem
flowers flowers
Quercus rubra flowers
flowers flowers
Quercus rubra flowers
leaves leaves
Quercus rubra leaves
leaves leaves
Quercus rubra leaves
leaves leaves
Quercus rubra leaves
leaves leaves
Quercus rubra leaves
fruits fruits
Quercus rubra fruits
fruits fruits
Quercus rubra fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Quercus rubra autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Quercus rubra autumn leaves
bark bark
Quercus rubra bark
bark bark
Quercus rubra bark

Seasonal colours

Quercus rubra seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

catkins discrete

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

matt green

Leaves

deciduous ovoid laciniate dentate lobate

Autumn colour

yellow-brown red-brown

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

rich fruit yield acorn

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

furrowed smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown

Twigs

horizontal branches

Root system

Root system

tap root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Aspects
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Soil
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Extreme environments
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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E info@ebben.nl

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