Quercus rubra - Red Oak - €17 per plant

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to the eastern United States, where it has a wide distribution range. The tree was introduced to Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries and is now naturally found throughout western and central Europe, often used as an ornamental given its symmetrical shape and really stunning red autumn foliage. The acorns are an important source of food for various rodents and birds, as well as reportedly being ground up and used as a thickener for sauces.To order this plant please email [email protected]

Context

  • native region: Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota. Canada
  • native habitat: Dry or upland woods
  • family: Fagaceae

Predators

  • None known

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun or partial shade
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic  - slightly alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 - 7
  • Prefers dry or moist soil
  • Prefers well drained soil
  • Tolerates strong winds

Known hazards 

  • None known

Overview

  • Deciduous Tree growing to 25 m by 18 m at a fast rate.
  • It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from September to October.
  • The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by wind.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and can grow in very heavy (clay) soils
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It prefers moist or dry soil.
  • Can tolerate strong wind but not maritime exposure

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous Tree   
  • layer :Canopy 
  • habit: Broad-headed canopy, variable and irregular crown
  • height: 25m

Products 

  • Leaves: Large leaves that are lobed, matt-green above and blue-green beneath. Autumn colour is good with variable reds and browns.
  • Flowers: The red oak blooms mid-spring to late-spring. Male flowers are arranged in drooping yellowish green catkins and female flowers are produced either individually or in clusters of 2-5 and are oval in shape
  • Seeds: Fertile female flowers are replaced by acorns that take 2 years to develop.
  • Wood: The wood is similar in general appearance to white oak, but with a slightly less defined figure. Good for steam bending.
  • Medicinal: The bark of the oak has much importance and is used extensively in medicine as an antiseptic and used to cure toothache and gastropathies, and also used as pacifying agents in inflammation and as healing agents in burn.


Functions, behaviours

  • Trees are able to regenerate from root suckers if the top is killed by a forest fire
  • Cultivated for its timber in C. Europe
  • ​​Seeds best sown as soon as they are ripe in an outdoor seed bed, though should  be protected from mice and squirrels.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project