Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Also listed as Quercus borealis, Erythrobalanus rubra
Also known as Red Oak, Champion Oak
Climate Match for your location
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A large deciduous oak native to eastern North America with a pyramidal form when young, maturing to a rounded shape. Its glossy green summer foliage turns brilliant red in fall, and it produces acorns favored by wildlife.
Why grow it
Northern red oak grows faster and reaches timber size more quickly than many other eastern oaks, making it practical for larger-scale permaculture systems. Its acorns are relatively palatable to wildlife compared to white oak group species, supporting broader food webs, and the tree tolerates a wider range of soil pH levels than some oak species. Fall color is notably reliable across its range, and it establishes well from seed or nursery stock in temperate eastern North America.
Watch out for
Young trees can be slow to branch low, so early selective pruning may be needed if lower canopy structure is desired for access or aesthetic reasons. Growth is best in areas with adequate summer moisture; in drier sites, productivity and health decline noticeably. The tree develops a deep taproot when young, making transplanting from the wild difficult after establishment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A large deciduous oak native to eastern North America with a pyramidal form when young, maturing to a rounded shape. Its glossy green summer foliage turns brilliant red in fall, and it produces acorns favored by wildlife.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Northern Red Oak grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Northern red oak grows faster and reaches timber size more quickly than many other eastern oaks, making it practical for larger-scale permaculture systems. Its acorns are relatively palatable to wildlife compared to white oak group species, supporting broader food webs, and the tree tolerates a wider range of soil pH levels than some oak species. Fall color is notably reliable across its range, and it establishes well from seed or nursery stock in temperate eastern North America.
Watch out for
Young trees can be slow to branch low, so early selective pruning may be needed if lower canopy structure is desired for access or aesthetic reasons. Growth is best in areas with adequate summer moisture; in drier sites, productivity and health decline noticeably. The tree develops a deep taproot when young, making transplanting from the wild difficult after establishment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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