Red OakQuercus rubra
a.k.a. Northern Red Oak
Large, deciduous, spreading tree, with rounded crown and stout, spreading branches, up to 80' tall. In the urban environment, it is most suited as a shade and street tree, especially since it is one of the more rapid growing oaks. It transplants easily and is hardy under city conditions. Of all the oaks, northern red oak has the most beautiful red fall color, which persists into winter. Its acorns are a major wildlife attraction. it is used in rehabilitation and restoration sites.
USDA symbol: QURU
General Information
| Plant Type | Tree |
|---|---|
| Height | 70 to 80 feet |
| Light Exposure | Sun, Part Sun |
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium |
| Bloom Color | Yellow |
Tolerances
| Flooding / Inundation Tolerance | Moderate |
|---|---|
| General Resilience | 7 |
| Salt Tolerance | Medium |
Pollinator Value: Medium
| Bloom Months | April to May |
|---|---|
| Larval Host of | Butterflies |
| Specific Pollinators Hosted | Erynnis brizo, Erynnis horatius, Erynnis juvenalis |
Project Planning
| Project Type | Erosion Control, Restoration, Upland Buffer |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Conservatism | 6 |
| Herbivore Sensitivity | High |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Rate of Spread | Slow |
| Soil Stabilization | Deep |
| Vegetative Reproduction | Clonal |
Range
| County | Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lake, Le Sueur, Mahnomen, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright |
|---|---|
| Ecoregion | Driftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains |
| Approximate Eco Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands |