Red Oak, Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Oblovate with 7 to 11 lobes featuring bristly tips
Margin
Lobed with bristly-toothed margins
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate with a prominent yellowish midrib and branching secondary veins
Key Features
Bristle-tipped leaf lobes, shallow to moderately deep sinuses, dull green color, and smooth reddish-brown twigs.
Description
The Northern Red Oak is a majestic deciduous tree known for its strong wood, rapid growth rate for an oak, and brilliant fall color where leaves turn a rich red to brown. The bark is dark brown or gray with broad, flat-topped ridges.
Habitat
Thrives in well-drained loamy or sandy soils, often found in mixed deciduous forests, slopes, and upland ridges, preferring acidic soils and moderate moisture.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Nova Scotia south to Georgia, and west to Oklahoma and Minnesota.