Quercus rubra
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Tried and True Recommended by 7 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: red oak
Type: Tree
Family: Fagaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: Eastern North America
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 50 to 75 feet
Spread: 50 to 75 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Description: Yellowish-green
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Flowers not Showy
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Drought, Air Pollution, Black Walnuts
Uses: Shade Tree, Street Tree

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, acidic soil in full sun. Prefers fertile, sandy, finely-textured soils with good drainage.

Noteworthy Characteristics

A medium sized, deciduous tree with a rounded to broad-spreading, often irregular crown. Typically grows at a moderate-to-fast rate to a height of 50-75' (often larger in the wild). Dark, lustrous green leaves (grayish-white beneath) with 7-11, toothed lobes which are sharply pointed at the tips. Leaves turn brownish-red in autumn. Insignificant flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring. Fruits are acorns (with flat, saucer-shaped cups) which mature in early fall. An abundant crop of acorns may not occur before this tree reaches 40 years old. A Missouri native tree which typically occurs on northern- and eastern-facing wooded slopes throughout the State. Also commonly called northern red oak.

Problems

Generally a durable and long-lived tree. Susceptible to oak wilt which is a systemic fungal disease that has no cure. Chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves while the veins remain green) often occurs when soils are not sufficiently acidic.

Garden Uses

Specimen, street tree, lawn tree.

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