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Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

The Northern Red Oak is a big tree with pointy leaves that turn bright red in the fall. This tree is a great shade provider on sunny days!

Habitat: Deciduous forests

Appearance

The Northern Red Oak has distinct dark, reddish-brown bark with shiny strips as it matures, earning it the 'red' in its name. Its large, lobed leaves turn a brilliant deep red or reddish-brown in autumn, making it stand out in the forest. It forms a broad, rounded canopy.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyFagaceaeGenusQuercus

Northern Red Oak

Interesting facts

Its acorns take two years to fully develop on the tree!

Its strong wood is famous for making beautiful floors and furniture.

Many animals, like deer and bears, love to munch on its acorns.

This oak can live longer than your great-great-grandparents combined!

Special abilities

Northern Red Oak can grow an extensive root system that helps it stand strong against winds and access deep water during dry spells.

Northern Red Oak produces abundant acorns, packed with energy, that provide vital food for countless forest creatures, aiding seed dispersal.

Northern Red Oak drops all its leaves in fall, reducing water loss and helping it conserve energy to survive freezing winter temperatures.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-30 m
Canopy Spread: 15-25 m
Is Edible: No
Trunk Diameter: 50-100 cm
Lifespan: 150-500 years
Fruit Type: Acorn
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

eaten by

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

Loves to bury and eat its acorns.

eaten by

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Browses on young leaves and acorns.

shelters

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

Nests in cavities of mature oaks.

symbiotic with

Fly Agaric

Amanita muscaria

Forms beneficial root connections.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Broadleaf Tree

Discover magnificent trees that have wide, flat leaves, unlike the needles of pine trees! These are often the trees that change colors beautifully in autumn.

Fall Color

Witness the breathtaking transformation as leaves change from green to brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold before they fall. It's a spectacular natural art show!

Timber

Discover how people use wood from trees to build amazing things, from houses to furniture! It's an important natural resource that helps us every day.