Northern Red Oak, Red Oak, Champion Oak
Quercus rubra · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Lobed with 7 to 11 bristle-tipped lobes
Margin
Lobed with bristle-tipped teeth along the margins
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate with a prominent central midrib and clearly defined secondary veins extending to the lobe tips.
Key Features
Bristle-tipped leaf lobes, shallow to moderately deep sinuses extending about halfway to the midrib, dull grayish-brown bark with smooth ridges resembling ski tracks, and acorns with flat, saucer-like caps.
Description
The Northern Red Oak is a majestic, fast-growing deciduous tree known for its strong form, dark furrowed bark, and brilliant autumn foliage. The leaves feature sharp, bristle-tipped lobes that give them a classic oak silhouette. In spring, leaves emerge a tender pinkish-gray before turning deep green for the summer and finally transitioning to rich red or brown in the fall.
Habitat
Found in deciduous forests, well-draining uplands, slopes, and rich moist soils, though adaptable to various soil types and urban environments.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Nova Scotia south to Georgia, and west to Oklahoma and Minnesota; widely planted in temperate zones worldwide.