Red Oak
Yet another tree from Mother Earth’s 50 best trees for your yard and garden.
A very majestic tree that can grow very old. Definitely a tree you want to plant for future generations. Because they are pollution tolerant they also make great borders to road ways and sidewalks. Also a wonderful tree to have for fall foliage. If you like squirrels, then you’ll have an abundance of them with the acorns, but avoid this tree if you are worried about squirrels getting into other parts of your yard. This tree takes some time to become well established, and while it is fast growing, my look oddly shaped when young. It should fill out nicely as it grows into a tall strong tree.
Zone: 4-9
Type: Deciduous
Light: Full sun
Size: 50-80ft tall, 50-80ft wide
Form: Pyramidal to spreading and rounded
Growth rate: Moderate to fast
How to Grow
From seed is the best with Red Oak, but since it does not have a pronounced taproot, they can be 
transplanted. They need full sun and lots of room to expand, so plant in an open space at least 20ft from surrounding trees. It loves well draining acidic soil. If your soil is neutral or alkaline, add acidicy through fertilizer or choose a different tree. Non-acidic soil can make the leaves turn yellow. The type of soil, from sandy loam to heavy clay, depends on the species. Find out what type of soil works best before you plant.
Tid Bits
Red Oak is just as it’s name sounds. The wood has reddish tints and in fall the leaves turn shades of red through to brown and russet colors. While not especially known to grow naturally on the coast, some Red Oaks, such as the Scarlet Oak, do very well in sandy soil and are great for beach houses and large waterfront properties. Chinese Evergreen Oak is a common hardy Red Oak planted further south. It does not loose it’s dark green leaves in the fall, hence the name, and is often mistaken for Japanese Oak. But don’t be fooled, Japanese Oak is a different species.
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