Get to know this plant.
Identification clue 1
Deep rounded sinuses
Identification clue 2
Bristle-tipped lobes
Identification clue 3
Acorns often show rings near the tip
Read the leaves
Deep C-shaped gaps separate sharply pointed lobes. Use several sun leaves because shape varies within a crown.
More growing details
Read the bark
Mature bark develops dark ridges and furrows; bark alone rarely separates red oaks.
Fruit & seed
Examine mature acorns for concentric rings near the tip and a relatively deep cup.
Winter character
Clustered end buds support oak identification; species needs bud and acorn comparison.
Origin & place
The species occurs naturally in the southern Appalachian region; a planted specimen is not evidence of wild local origin.
Compare with Northern red oak
Northern red oak usually has shallower sinuses and a much flatter saucer-like acorn cup.
WNC Notes
Strong fall color on acidic, dry, well-drained upland sites.
Sun Exposure
Full sun
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
50–70
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
40–50
BLOOM SEASON
Spring
BLOOM COLOR
Catkins
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Scarlet
Wet-Soil Tolerance
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Moderate