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Red oak

An frequent tree which may confuse those who recognise the common or sessile oak as the leaves are very pointy yet distinctively oak.

What other names does it have?

Generic name	Oak
Latin name	Quercus rubra
Family name	Beech
Latin family name	Fagaceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	10-25m

Leaf

Description	Leaves have a few lobes each with several teeth which have pointed whiskery tips. Underneath they are a matt pale green colour.
Shape	Lobed
Size	Up to 22cm long
Colour	Dark green
Colour of leaves in autumn	Bright red
Leaf bud	Chestnut brown in colour with hairy tips
Leaf stalk	Long stalk
Leaf arrangement	Alternate

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Catkin
Fruit colour	Brown
Type of seed body	Acorn
Seeds dispersed by	Wildlife

Bark and twig

Bark description	Smooth and silver-grey until very old when it develops warts or ridges
Twig Description	Straight, slender, dark brown twig

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Non-native - introduced
Where is its natural range?	North America from Nova Scotia to Georgia
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Tolerates a range of conditions
What is its British conservation status?	Frequent

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timber	A tree often planted in parks, or occasionally streets, for its attractive leaves. It is also grown as a timber tree although the wood is not as durable as common/english oak

Tree shape

The leaves

Acorn development

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

BritishTrees

©2012 The Woodland Trust