Quercus coccinea

Common Names

Scarlet Oak, Red Oak, Spanish Oak, Black Oak

Summary

Scarlet Oak is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America, typically reaching 60–90 ft tall with a spreading, rounded crown. Its leaves are dark green with 7–9 bristle-tipped lobes and turn scarlet in autumn, and acorns measure 0.5–1 inch long, maturing over two seasons; the gray-brown bark becomes deeply fissured with age, and the tree is distinguished by brilliant fall color and an open, balanced silhouette. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils, tolerating dry, sandy soils and acidic conditions, with drought tolerance once established. A taproot on loose soils makes transplanting difficult, so nursery stock is recommended; propagation is by acorns and germination may take 1–2 years. Pest and disease pressures can include oak wilt, anthracnose, leaf spots, cankers, and powdery mildew; maintaining tree health helps reduce problems. In landscapes, Scarlet Oak serves as a shade or street tree or specimen, with typical planting distances of 30–40 feet on center to form an overhead canopy, and it provides wildlife value through acorns and associated insects.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

50-70 feet

Spread

40-50 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun to partial shade

Soil Type

Well-drained, acidic soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

Acidic soils (low pH) are ideal.

Bloom Color

Yellow to green (depending on the season)

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, turning scarlet in autumn.

Fall Foliage Color

Scarlet (red)

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

1-2 feet per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds (acorns), grafting, vegetative propagation via stump sprouts (coppice regrowth) and basal/root sprouts

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies, Attracts other pollinators, Attracts birds