Red Oak

Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

▲ old tree at Shoaff Park in Ft. Wayne, IN

▲ ▼ younger, mature trees

▲ old tree at Minnesota Arboretum

▲ grove of red oaks on Michigan State University campus

▲ ▼ leaves, with typical fall color below

▲ ▼ more leaves with fall color

▲ ▼ tree in fall color

▲ ▼ bark, on younger tree (above) and older tree (below)

Location on campus: north side of Taylor Health Center, northwest corner of Temple Hall

Quercus rubra: Red Oak, Northern Red Oak

• leaves alternate, deciduous, simple, ovate, 7-11 lobed leaves; lobes gonig about 1/3-1/2 in toward mid-vein; leaves 4.5-8.5" long and 2/3 to 3/4 as wide; shiny dark green above and gray or yellow-green below; sometimes red in fall, often yellow-brown around here (leaves fall off during autumn)
• stems stout, green to reddish brown and shiny
• buds are 1/4 - 1/3" long, broadest at base tapering to a pointed tip; covered with smooth, shiny, reddish-brown scales
• bark is dark gray with moderate ridges and furrows
• grows 60-75' tall with 2/3 to equal spread; lateral branches thick; has rounded to oval habit
• acorn is about 1" long and 2/3 as wide, dark brown, enclosed about 1/4 in flat, thin cap
• prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils, can tolerate fairly wet soils
• medium growth rate
• native to Missouri (and Springfield)