Red Oak
Quercus rubra
A majestic native American shade tree beloved for its brilliant fall color display of deep reds and oranges. Fast-growing and adaptable, red oaks develop into impressive specimens with broad, rounded crowns that provide excellent summer shade. Their distinctive lobed leaves and strong branching structure make them a premier choice for large landscapes.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–8
USDA hardiness
Height
50-70 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Red Oak in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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Red Oak · Zones 4–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Produces 0.75- to 1.5-inch-long acorns singly or in pairs on a very short stem. The acorn is brown to reddish-brown and smooth. The wide cap covers the upper 1/4 of the nut. The tree may reach 40 years of age before producing acorns. Displays from August to October. The meat inside the acorn is white and bitter to taste.
Color: Brown/Copper, Red/Burgundy. Type: Nut. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out.
History & Origin
Origin: Southeastern Canada to North-Central and Eastern United States
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Fire, Pollution
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
- +Edible: Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Seeds): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Wild Ginger
Thrives in the acidic soil created by oak leaf litter and provides ground cover
Hostas
Tolerates shade well and benefits from the filtered light under oak canopy
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that thrive in the dappled shade and acidic conditions
Azaleas
Acid-loving shrubs that flourish in the acidic soil created by decomposing oak leaves
Coral Bells
Shade-tolerant perennial that adds color while benefiting from oak's protective canopy
Astilbe
Enjoys the moist, shaded conditions and acidic soil beneath oak trees
Trillium
Native woodland wildflower that naturally grows in oak forest ecosystems
Wild Columbine
Native perennial adapted to woodland conditions and partial shade
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone which can stress oak trees and compete for similar nutrients
Tomatoes
Cannot tolerate the dense shade and acidic soil conditions under oak trees
Roses
Struggle in acidic soil and compete poorly with oak's extensive root system
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, some susceptibility to oak wilt
Common Pests
Gypsy moths, scale insects, oak borers
Diseases
Oak wilt, anthracnose, powdery mildew