The Plant List

Quercus rubra

Common: Texas red oak, Northern red oak
Family: Fagaceae
Sunset zones: 5-8, hardy to USDA 4
Origin: Native to eastern United States, from Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania, west to Minnesota and Iowa
Light: Full sun to partial sun (partial shade tolerant in youth)
Soil: Needs fertile soil. Performs best in moist, deep, acidic, well-drained soils, but is very adaptable to poor soils, dry soils and soils of various pH. Not happy in turf.
Water: Needs plenty of water.

Large shade tree for lawns, parks, golf courses, corporate centers or naturalized areas.

Medium growth rate to 60 feet tall by 80 feet wide. Much larger in the wild.

Upright oval growth in youth, becoming rounded to spreading with age. Shiny dark green alternate foliage, about 7 inches long, with 7 to 11 prominent bristle-tipped lobes, each lobe incised and with deep sinus on each side. Turns distinctive yellow or red by mid-summer. Fall color is usually brick red to scarlet, but may be brown-red to yellowish brown in poor years.

Large oval acorn, one inch long, that matures over two seasons.

Valuable timber tree, with its wood prized for beams, boards, railroad ties and furniture. One of the most rapidly growing and vigorous oaks. Urban tolerant in general, especially to dry sites. Abundant nuts attract wildlife, including large birds, deer and especially squirrels.