The dark green lobed leaves with bristle tips, pale green catkins (flower clusters), and a wide-spreading irregular crown of a red oak tree make it a rapid-growing deciduous tree. The spectacular fall colors of red, burgundy, copper, and bronze on red oak trees are famous. The red oak produces acorns, which are rounded brownish nuts that hang in warty caps, like all oak species.
Red oak is a classification of several oak species. The scarlet oak, eastern black oak, southern red oak, and Shumard oak are among the native oaks. The northern red oak (Quercus rubra) is the most prevalent kind of red oak tree. The red oak or champion oak is how this magnificent tree is referred to.
The red oak tree (northern red oak) is easily identifiable in this article. Recognizing this indigenous tree in the environment will be aided by descriptions and images of red oak leaves, acorns, bark, and flowers. Additionally, if you want to grow a red oak in your garden, you’ll find valuable information on planting acorns.
Red Oak Tree Facts
The red oak (Quercus rubra) is a broadleaved deciduous tree that grows 60 to 90 feet (18 to 28 meters) and produces lovely autumn colors. The spreading crown of the magnificent tree, which may grow up to 75 feet (22 meters) wide, has an irregular form.
Some red oaks have trunks that are up to 3.2 feet (1 m) broad and grow to be over 6 feet (2 m) in diameter. The branches growing at right angles, the luscious green lobed leaves, the tiny brown acorns, and a straight, upright stem distinguish red oak in the landscape.
Red oak growth rate: The oaks grow fast. The red oak tree may grow 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 1 m) each year if it is growing in full sun and under ideal circumstances. As a result, red oak trees may reach 16 to 20 feet (5 to 6 meters) in height after growing for ten years.
How long do red oak trees live: In rich, moist, and well-drained soils, red oaks may survive for up to 400 years. Most species of oak trees have this growth habit. The white oak, on the other hand, might survive for hundreds of years.
Red oak tree growing requirements: USDA zones 5 through 9 are ideal for red oaks. When they grow in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, they perform best in full sun.
Red oak trees have the ability to leaf out in the spring and form dangling green blooms at the same time, which is one of their growth features. Moreover, for two seasons, red oak acorns develop on the tree. As a result, the little, spherical acorns on the tree are frequently visible on red oak in a winter scene.
A red oak and a white oak may be distinguished in a number of ways. Pointed lobes with teeth or bristle-like tips are seen on the leaves of red oaks, for example. Rounded lobes are common on white oak leaves. Red oaks have a dark reddish-brown bark with prominent ridges, giving them a lustrous appearance. The shallowness of white oak bark can be seen.
Red Oak Tree Leaves
Obovate leaves with the narrower end at the base grow on a red oak tree. The leaf’s nine to eleven shallow lobes with irregular bristle tips are one of its identifying characteristics. Red oak leaves are 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 cm) long and broad, ranging from 5 to 15 centimeters. On the top side of red oak tree leaves, they are dark green with a glossy sheen. Fine hairs and a lighter yellowish-green color may be seen on the leaf undersides. The landscape is brightened with scarlet colors in the autumn by red oaks.
Autumn leaves from a red oak tree are grown in an alternate, simple arrangement on relatively short petioles. From mid-summer until the fall, when all of the leaves turn a brilliant red, some red oak specimens have leaf stems and veins that develop a rich red color.
Red Oak Tree Bark
Bark on red oak trees is a distinguishing characteristic that aids in the differentiation from white oak. The reddish-brown to dark gray color of red oak bark The bark of an oak as it ages develops flat-topped gray bumps with deep furrows. The glossy streaks that seem to appear in the midst of the ridges are a distinctive aspect of the bark.
Red Oak Tree Flowers
A red oak tree blooms with clusters of small yellowish-green flowers that are male (left) and female (right). Male and female flowers occur on the same tree, according to red oaks, who are monoecious. Dangling catkins about 4 inches (10 cm) long bloom on the male red oak. Female blooms appear as tiny clusters on the tips of the branches and are reddish green in color.
Red Oak Tree Fruit (Acorns)
The most distinguishing feature of the nut-bearing tree is the red oak acorns, which are the finest way to identify the species. Acorns, rounded, barrel-shaped brown nuts with pointed tips, are produced by red oak trees. A single seeded acorn has a thick leathery shell.
A one-third portion of the nut is covered by a red oak acorn’s somewhat knobby flat cup-shaped cap. Red oak acorns are about 1″ (25 mm) long, according to the USDA. The acorns of red oaks ripen for two years, just like those of other red oak species. Red oak acorns are shorter and stouter than white oak acorns, which are more often oval and extended.
How to Identify Red Oak
The distinct leaves, acorns, and deeply ridged, dark gray bark of a red oak in the landscape can be used to identify it. The leaves of red oaks are dark green and have 9 to 11 deeply serrated lobes and serrated tips. The rounded end, pointed tip, and thin flat cap of the acorns are 1″ (25 mm) long.
How to Plant an Acorn
The seeds (acorns) of an oak tree are difficult to sprout, so growing one from an acorn may be challenging. You’ll need a big handful of brown nuts in the autumn if you want to plant an acorn. However, until the next spring, you’ll need to keep the acorns in moist and chilly surroundings.
Some stratification, or a cooling period over the winter, is best for red acorns to sprout. They’ll need to be planted the next spring after that.
Remove the caps from the seeds before planting an acorn. Then, toss any that float into a plastic bag filled with water. Individual planting pots made with a combination of peat moss and potting soil are then prepared. Lastly, press 1 inch (25 mm) into the soil and thoroughly water the acorn on its side.
How to Grow Red Oak Saplings (Baby Oak Tree)
An acorn takes two to four weeks to germinate and roots take around eight weeks to develop. As soon as the red oak sapling leaves open, you may transplant it to the garden. The baby oak tree should be planted in the brightest portion of the garden because red oak grows well in full sun.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and fill it with red oak seedling soil. Next, fill in with organically rich soil the hole where you placed the little oak tree. It’s vital to make sure the root crown is level with the soil surface. A newly planted oak tree does not need to be fertilized.
Water your red oak saplings daily for the first 14 days after you’ve established them to help them thrive. You’ll also need to keep wildlife away from the oak sapling. As a result, to prevent deer and other animals from eating the succulent leaves, you’ll need chicken wire wrapped around it.
Until it reaches 5 feet (1.5 meters) in height, protect the baby oak. Water the oak tree once a month in the first three years to keep the soil moist. This aids in the formation of a robust root system and the development of a healthy, strong red oak tree.
For your young oak tree to develop into an attractive shape, some pruning is also necessary. You may begin trimming the tree after it has been around for at least 12 months. A technique known as “limbing up a tree” involves removing lower branches that are less than 2″ (50 mm) in diameter.
Where to Plant Red Oak Tree
Wherever you choose, make sure the red oak tree gets plenty of sunlight. Oak trees thrive in acidic, moist but well-drained soils. Red oaks, on the other hand, are hardy trees that may flourish in a variety of soils. The mature red oaks can also tolerate drought, flooding, and salty air in addition to these circumstances. Try to keep the red oak out of the shade for as long as possible. Pests, illnesses, and poor foliage development are all symptoms of insufficient sunlight. In addition, red oak trees lose their vibrant scarlet-red color in the autumn when they are grown in full shade.
Red oaks thrive on acidic soil, despite their resistance to difficult circumstances. Clay, loamy, or sandy soil are the preferred soils for growing red oak. The rich dark green leaves may wilt and turn yellow if the soil is low in organic matter. A poor root structure may affect the tree’s growth if shallow, alkaline soil is present.
Red Oak Tree (Quercus rubra) Care Guide
When grown, red oaks require little maintenance. Water them frequently in the first few years after planting to develop a strong root system. Unless growth appears to be sluggish, mature trees do not need extra watering or fertilization. To maintain the form of a young red oak tree, prune it once a year in late winter.
How to Water Red Oak Tree
Waters the roots of a newly-planted oak tree once per month. A red oak tree only needs additional watering after three years, particularly during dry seasons. A typical red oak requires as much irrigation as it gets from average rainfall. A generous layer of organic mulch, such as pine bark or pine needles, may help to keep the soil moist and weed growth at bay while ensuring healthy development. Cover the root area with 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) of mulch, leaving a 3-inch (7.5 cm) gap all around the tree trunk.
Red Oak Tree Fertilization
When growing in acidic soil or beside well-fertilized lawns, red oaks don’t need additional fertilizer. Nevertheless, maintaining the soil healthy by adding organic mulch in the spring is usually sufficient. You can test the soil for deficiencies if growth appears to be sluggish. Then, using the proper NPK ratio, you may apply the appropriate tree fertilizer.
How to Prune Red Oak Tree
When a tree is young, pruning it is simple. Then, you must cut away the lower, weaker branches from the strong, central trunk. You can also cut off two or three branches from the main stem of comparable thickness. Branches are unable to squabble for space and resources as a result of this.
Late winter through early March is the best time to trim a red oak tree. Pruning mature red oak trees is another question. Trimming dead or rotting branches is usually best handled by a professional arborist or tree surgeon.
Pests Affecting Red Oak Growth
Aphids, lace bugs, weevils, caterpillars, and oak sawflies are some of the pests that affect red oaks. These white and black insects don’t do enough damage to be a concern for the tree’s overall health, according to the good news. Yet, in order to keep your tree’s appearance healthy, you must first recognize the pests and utilize proper control measures.
Grayish-black aphids that feed on plant tissue are a kind of aphid that infests oak trees. On red oak trees, big bark aphids are plentiful. Twig die-back is a possible consequence of bug damage. The tree’s health, on the other hand, is seldom compromised.
Acorn weevils Hollowed-out red oak acorns are caused by tiny brown beetles. An acorn is placed by the little bug, which deposits an egg. The larva chews away at the nut until it becomes hollow once the egg hatches.
Oak sawfly larvae Feeding on the leaf tissue of an oak tree eventually skeletonizes it, causing damage. These yellow and black caterpillars can be dealt with in a number of ways, but hand removal is the best option. If you have a big oak tree, however, this may not work.
Yellownecked caterpillars By removing the leaves from a red oak tree, it may lose its luster. The striped black and white caterpillars prefer young red oak trees. Pick the caterpillars off the leaves and toss them into a tub of detergent water to get rid of them.
Diseases Affecting Red Oak Growth
In chilly, moist environments or if the earth is too wet for extended periods, red oak tree leaves may exhibit symptoms. Anthracnose, oak wilt, oak tatters, and leaf blistering are some of the common diseases that attack red oaks. Recognizing disorders that afflict red oak trees, as well as what to do about them, are listed below.
Oak wilt Ceratocystis fagaceous is a fungus that causes the disease. Beetles that transport spores to the roots are typically responsible for spreading the fungal disease. Wilted leaves that discolor brown at the margins and along the veins are symptoms of oak wilt. They’ll eventually fall away. Sadly, in four to six weeks, a healthy tree can be killed by a fungal infection. Avoiding pruning red oaks in the spring and summer is the best way to avoid oak wilt. To cure this severe oak tree disease, professional assistance is usually required.
Anthracnose Red oak foliage is afflicted by a fungus disease. The fungus makes unsightly blotches on leaves, which may be light to dark brown or black in color. If the disease is severe, leaves may drop early. Trees, on the other hand, usually generate new leaves and develop normally.
Leaf blistering In spring, (Taphrina caerulescens) may attack red oak trees in colder regions. Yellowish-green raised blisters on red oak leaves characterize foliar disease. When the leaves develop, the little patches may become yellow, brown, or gray. The leaves eventually roll and fall. On a red oak tree, improving the growing conditions is the best way to deal with leaf blisters. You don’t need to do anything else, though.
Oak tatters Red oaks are afflicted by a leaf disease. It makes oak leaves appear to have been munched by animals or caterpillars. Leaves become ragged and disheveled as they emerge from their buds. Sadly, there isn’t any information on why oaks are more prone to oak tatter disease. The great news is that trees are known for regaining health quickly after being injured and sprouting new leaves.