Red Oak Tree

Our red oak trees are Quercus rubra, the northern red oak, a native that grows quickly and spreads a broad, rounded crown. Leaves turn reddish-brown to scarlet in fall. Bare-root trees ship in 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 foot sizes, in packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500, and buyers plant them for shade, along streets, as specimens and for wildlife.

Red Oak Size, Zones and Sun

A mature red oak stands 50 to 75 feet tall and about as wide, in zones 4-8, with moderate to fast growth. It prefers full sun and takes partial shade, meaning 2 to 6 hours of direct sun. Sandy to loamy, well-drained soil that is acidic to neutral suits it, and moisture can run from moist to occasionally dry.

Red Oak Leaves, Acorns and Fall Color

Some leaves cling to the branches through winter after they color. Acorns measure three-quarters of an inch to 1.5 inches, brown to reddish-brown, with a shallow cap covering about a quarter of the nut. They need two growing seasons to ripen. A tree starts bearing around 20 to 25 years and produces heavily by 40 to 50.

Red Oak and Wildlife

Woodpeckers, blue jays, small mammals, wild turkeys, deer and black bears eat the acorns, and the leaves feed imperial moth caterpillars along with other butterflies and moths. People can eat the acorns only after the tannins are leached out. Our oak landscape planning ideas show how oaks fit a property.

Good to Know About Red Oak

Yellow leaves with green veins point to chlorosis, which appears when the soil is not acidic enough, so test pH before planting. Oak wilt is the disease to know, and gypsy moth is the most damaging leaf-eater. The tree transplants easily, and once established it tolerates drought, dry soil, black walnut and air pollution. See our list of trees for sun and part shade sites.

Red Oak Sizes, Packs and Shipping

Red oak trees ship bare-root in November, in 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 foot sizes and packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500. Volume pricing available. Browse more trees for sale in our wholesale collection.