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Quercus rubra

Quercus rubra

Red Oak, Nothern Red Oak, Champion oak

synonym Quercus borealis

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

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Quercus rubra? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

Magnify

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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Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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