Hardy Planting Zone: Zones 3-9
Bloom Season: Late spring/early summer
Bloom Color: Yellow/green
Height at Maturity: 60 to 75 ft.
Soil Type Preferred: Well-drained, sandy, acidic
Sun or Shade: Full sun
Officially known as Quercus rubra, red oak trees can be found throughout the Midwestern and Eastern United States.
Named after their intensely red color during the fall, red oak trees are one of the most accessible trees to transplant and grow at an astounding rate of 2 ft. per year.
Red oak trees are commonly planted alongside sidewalks due to their expansive root system.
Red oak wood is one of the more sought-after veneer woods due to its high quality compared to other types of oak.
Red oaks get quite large and spread out as they get older, creating a lot of shade over a sizable area, making it an ideal addition to landscapes or garden plots with plants that prefer limited sun exposure.
Like an oak tree, red oaks provide a lot of food for wildlife in the form of acorns. Birds and squirrels are especially attracted to the tree during most of the year, although the branches and leaves of red oaks are a significant source of food for deer during the winter.
Successful tree growth only requires a moderate amount of watering. Red oaks are well-known for their ability to withstand conditions that severely compromise the health of other plants. Red oaks are tolerant of salty soil as well as high levels of pollution. When the trees are well-established, they also become somewhat drought-resistant.
In terms of planting, it’s best to do so during the spring or summer. Spacing is essential as the root system may interfere with other plant growth if not correctly positioned.
