Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Outstanding large pyramidal tree displays brilliant orange, brown and red fall coloring. An excellent shade tree for large lawns or parks. Sends roots deep, easy to garden under. Deciduous.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | KWER-kus REW-bra |
| Key feature: | Fall Color |
| Plant type: | Tree |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Deciduous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate grower to 60 to 80 ft. tall, 35 to 40 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Growth habit: | Spreading |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Dramatic Foliage Color, Fall Color, North American Native, Waterwise, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Firescaping/Fire Wise, Seacoast Exposure, Woodland Garden |
| Blooms: | Inconspicuous |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 6925 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
A beautiful specimen tree for sizeable homesites and suburban yards. Exceptional street tree and for large scale effects in institutional planting. American native suitable for naturalization in open space and reforestation projects in rural or urban applications.
Companion Plants
In the parts of its range that receive less heat, the lovely Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) carries interest through the winter with purple-red fruit. Snowmound spiraea (Spiraea nipponica 'Snowmound') can bloom in the spring sun and then be shaded by oak leaves as the year goes on. And the yellow pom-pons if Double Flowered Kerria (Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora') add a bright note to the spring.
Lore
This is from the fact that the ancient tree-worshipping tribes often queried very large old oak trees believed to contain powerful spirits that could foretell the future.
Outstanding large pyramidal tree displays brilliant orange, brown and red fall coloring. An excellent shade tree for large lawns or parks. Sends roots deep, easy to garden under. Deciduous.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
A beautiful specimen tree for sizeable homesites and suburban yards. Exceptional street tree and for large scale effects in institutional planting. American native suitable for naturalization in open space and reforestation projects in rural or urban applications.
Companion Plants
In the parts of its range that receive less heat, the lovely Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) carries interest through the winter with purple-red fruit. Snowmound spiraea (Spiraea nipponica 'Snowmound') can bloom in the spring sun and then be shaded by oak leaves as the year goes on. And the yellow pom-pons if Double Flowered Kerria (Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora') add a bright note to the spring.
Lore
This is from the fact that the ancient tree-worshipping tribes often queried very large old oak trees believed to contain powerful spirits that could foretell the future.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | KWER-kus REW-bra |
| Key feature: | Fall Color |
| Plant type: | Tree |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Deciduous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate grower to 60 to 80 ft. tall, 35 to 40 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Growth habit: | Spreading |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Dramatic Foliage Color, Fall Color, North American Native, Waterwise, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Firescaping/Fire Wise, Seacoast Exposure, Woodland Garden |
| Blooms: | Inconspicuous |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 6925 |
