Red Oak Tree - Quercus rubra

Red Oak Tree is a well loved deciduous tree for its size and habit, beautiful red fall color, and its great impact on landscapes.

Plant Details - Red Oak Tree

Family: Fagaceae

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Water Needs: Moist

Height: 60 – 75 ft.

Spread: 60 –  75 ft.

Growth Rate: Fast

Bloom Time: Spring

Flower Color: Yellow

Wildlife Value: Attracts birds

Landscape Uses and Maintenance - Red Oak Tree

The Red Oak Tree is a truly magnificent deciduous tree that will create a beautiful corner or centerpiece of your home. This tree is a fast grower, making it a great option.

Its leaves are green and pointed. This tree has gorgeous fall color, turning to shades of reds and oranges, creating a stunning display.

Plant this tree in an area that gets full sun to partial shade. Do not plant in full shade as this will limit its growth.

As it grows, its canopy will create a shade garden that you can plant with plenty of native perennials. You can plant this tree to create an allée or as a street tree.

Plant it in a location with well draining soil. Acidic soil is generally preferred by this plant, but it can be planted in more alkaline soil too. It will tolerate clay, loam, and sand soil types.

Its catkins emerge and are yellow green color in the spring. Acorns are plentiful, and extremely productive about every five years.

This tree is used by wildlife, especially by birds and small mammals, for food and habitat. Its acorns make a great food supply for birds and small mammals. Cavity dwelling birds, like owls and woodpeckers, will use the hollows as their nest.

This tree is considered deer resistant except for when it is young and vulnerable to damage from browsing or buck rub. Protect with caging or fencing during this time.

Watch this tree for signs of insect damage, including damage from borers, which can create large networks of tunnels inside the tree.

Noteworthy Characteristics

The Red Oak Tree is a host plant for many butterflies, including the Gray Hairstreak butterfly.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Height at Maturity

Over 25 Feet

Care

Red Oak Trees prefer well-drained, acidic soil and need regular watering, especially during dry spells. Mulch the base to keep moisture and prevent weeds. Trim only to clear dead or broken branches and ensure proper air circulation.

Plant Reproduction

Red Oak Tree spreads by wind-dispersed acorns and root sprouts.

How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Trees

Bare root trees are shipped dormant without soil, making them lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to plant during the cool months of early spring or fall. To begin, soak the roots in a bucket of water for 4–6 hours before planting to rehydrate them. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil and ample space for the tree’s mature size.

Dig a hole twice as wide as the spread of the roots and deep enough to keep the root flare (where the roots begin to spread from the trunk) at or slightly above ground level. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole, spread the roots evenly over it, backfill with native soil, and gently tamp down to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.

Keep the soil consistently moist (not soggy) during the first growing season, and apply mulch around the base—avoiding direct contact with the trunk—to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Stake the tree if necessary, and prune only to remove dead or damaged branches. With proper care, your bare root tree will establish quickly and grow strong for years to come.

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