What hardiness zones is Quercus rubra suitable for?

Quercus rubra is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Quercus rubra?

Quercus rubra requires Full Sun.

How much water does Quercus rubra need?

Quercus rubra has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Quercus rubra

red oak

FagaceaeEastern North America

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height50-75 feet (15-23 m)

Width40-60 feet (12-18 m)

Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

Quercus rubra is a large deciduous tree reaching 50-75 feet (15-23 m) tall with a spread of 40-60 feet (12-18 m) in cultivation, developing a rounded to broadly spreading crown. The trunk is straight and continuous, with bark that is smooth and gray-green on young trees, developing flat-topped ridges with shallow furrows and a distinctive pattern of lighter vertical stripes on mature specimens. Leaves are 5-9 inches (13-23 cm) long with 7-11 pointed, bristle-tipped lobes separated by U-shaped sinuses that extend roughly halfway to the midrib — less deeply cut than those of Quercus coccinea. Foliage emerges reddish in spring, matures to dark green with a matte finish above, and turns red to russet-brown in fall; fall color is variable, with some individuals producing consistent red while others tend toward brown. Male catkins appear in April to May. Acorns are broad, 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) long, with shallow, saucer-shaped caps covering about one-quarter of the nut; they mature in two growing seasons. Growth rate is moderate to fast for an oak, adding 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) per year in favorable conditions. Trees live 200-400 years. Tolerates urban pollution, compacted soils, and moderate salt exposure. Chlorosis may develop in alkaline soils with pH above 7.0.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia and southern Quebec west to Minnesota, south to Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma. Found in mixed hardwood forests, upland slopes, and well-drained bottomlands at elevations from sea level to approximately 5,500 feet (1,700 m).

Suggested Uses

Used as a shade tree and street tree where space accommodates a 40-60 foot (12-18 m) spread. Space a minimum of 35 feet (10.5 m) from structures and other large trees. Performs well in parks, campuses, and large residential lots. Acorns provide food for squirrels, deer, turkeys, and jays.

How to Identify

Identified by leaves 5-9 inches (13-23 cm) long with 7-11 bristle-tipped, pointed lobes separated by U-shaped sinuses extending roughly halfway to the midrib. Bark on mature trees has flat-topped ridges with distinctive lighter vertical stripes. Acorns are broad, 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) long, with a shallow saucer-shaped cap. Distinguished from Quercus coccinea by less deeply incised leaf sinuses and from Quercus palustris by the absence of pin-like lower branches.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 75'

Width/Spread40' - 60'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red

brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Inconspicuous male catkins appear in April to May as leaves emerge. Female flowers are tiny, wind-pollinated, borne on current-season growth. Flowers are not ornamentally significant. Acorns require two growing seasons to mature, ripening in September to October of the second year.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellowish-green catkins

Foliage Description

Dark green above, matte finish; paler beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 7.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-25 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply every 1-2 weeks during the first 2-3 growing seasons. Established trees tolerate drought but benefit from deep irrigation during extended dry periods exceeding 4-6 weeks. Prefers acidic to neutral soils; chlorosis (interveinal yellowing) develops on alkaline soils with pH above 7.0. Avoid soil compaction within the drip line; root damage from grading or construction leads to progressive decline over 3-10 years. Bacterial leaf scorch (Xylella fastidiosa) causes marginal browning of older leaves in late summer; no cure exists, but affected trees may persist for 5-10 years. Oak wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) is lethal in the red oak group; avoid pruning wounds during the growing season in areas where the disease is present.

Pruning

Prune in late winter during full dormancy (January-February) to establish strong structure. Develop a central leader and remove competing co-dominant stems in the first 15-20 years. Remove dead, crossing, or rubbing branches. Mature trees require minimal pruning beyond deadwood removal. Do not remove more than 20% of the live crown in a single season. Avoid pruning from April through July to reduce risk of oak wilt transmission in regions where it occurs.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic