Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Oblovate with 7 to 11 lobes, each featuring bristly-tipped teeth
Margin
Lobed with bristly-tipped teeth and deep, U-shaped sinuses
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the twig with a stout petiole
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent central midrib and primary veins extending into each lobe
Key Features
Bristly-tipped leaf lobes, U-shaped sinuses between lobes, dull gray-brown inner bark streaks, and large acorns with a flat, saucer-like cap
Description
The Northern Red Oak is a majestic, fast-growing deciduous tree with a straight trunk, rounded crown, and dark brown bark featuring broad, smooth ridges. It produces shallow-cup acorns that mature in two years and provides brilliant fall foliage.
Habitat
Thrives in well-drained loamy or sandy soils, often found in mixed hardwood forests, slopes, and along streams in temperate zones
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Nova Scotia south to Georgia and west to Oklahoma and Minnesota