Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra · Deciduous Broadleaf / Hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 8
About This Tree
A large, fast-growing deciduous tree with a rounded, spreading crown. In juvenile stages like the photo, it shows upright branching. At maturity, it becomes a majestic canopy tree known for its strength and wide-spreading branches.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves with 7 to 11 waxy, pointed lobes. New spring growth is distinctly reddish-brown and fuzzy/tomentose as seen in the image. Mature leaves are dark green, turning vibrant red to russet-brown in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Young bark is smooth and greyish-green. As it matures, it develops distinctive long, flat-topped ridges that look like 'ski tracks' running down the trunk, often with dark furrows.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern and Central North America and Southeast Canada
Growing Season
Buds break in spring with reddish-pink new leaves; flowers (catkins) appear in late spring; acorns mature in autumn over two years; enters dormancy after shedding leaves in late fall.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun for optimal growth. Requires moderate watering; once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant but prefers well-drained, acidic loams.
Mature Size
Mature height of 60-75 feet with a spread of 45-60 feet. Fast growth rate (up to 2 feet per year) and can live for 200-500 years.
Special Characteristics
Valued for its brilliant fall color and high-quality timber. It and has better transplant success than many other oak species. Known for resilience to urban pollutants.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical ecological species; acorns provide an essential food source for squirrels, deer, wild turkeys, and blue jays. It hosts hundreds of species of Lepidoptera (caterpillars), supporting the local bird population.