# scarlet oak (*Quercus coccinea*) The scarlet oak is a beautiful tree known for its bright red leaves in the fall. It provides shade and homes for many animals, making it a special part of the forest. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![scarlet oak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rim_Rock_Trail_-_Scarlet_Oak_%28Quercus_coccinea%29_-_Flickr_-_Jay_Sturner_%282%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jay Sturner from USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rim_Rock_Trail_-_Scarlet_Oak_%28Quercus_coccinea%29_-_Flickr_-_Jay_Sturner_%282%29.jpg) ## Appearance The scarlet oak is a large deciduous tree with deeply lobed, glossy green leaves that turn a brilliant scarlet red in autumn. Its dark gray bark becomes furrowed with age, revealing reddish-brown inner bark in the fissures. The leaves often have pointed tips. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - Its acorns take two whole years to ripen, which is unusual for an oak tree! - Many insects, like gall wasps, lay their eggs on scarlet oak, creating unique growths! - Scarlet oaks can easily hybridize, or mix genes, with other oak species, making unique new trees! - The 'scarlet' in its name comes from the dazzling red color its leaves turn each autumn. ## Special abilities - **Acorn Armor:** Scarlet oak has acorns protected by tannins, which deters some pests from eating them all. - **Fire Fighter Bark:** Its thick, corky bark helps the scarlet oak survive wildfires that might harm other trees. - **Deep Drinker:** Scarlet oak develops deep roots that allow it to reach underground water sources, surviving dry spells. - **Seasonal Shedder:** Scarlet oak can drop its leaves in winter to conserve water and energy during colder months. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1800-3000 cm - **Spread:** 1200-2000 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Caches and feeds on its protein-rich acorns. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on its twigs and leaves, especially seedlings. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Stores acorns for winter, helping to disperse seeds. - **Depends on:** Scarlet Oak Gall Wasp (*Callirhytis quercuscoccineae*) — Forms distinctive galls on its leaves and stems. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Nut Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nut-bearing): Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Stay away from the tree's branches and don't climb too high. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify scarlet oak? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is scarlet oak? 1800-3000 cm ### How wide does scarlet oak spread? 1200-2000 cm ### When does scarlet oak bloom? Spring ### Is scarlet oak edible? No ### Is scarlet oak toxic? Mild ### What is scarlet oak's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is scarlet oak pollinated? Wind ## Where to spot - [Allaire Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allaire-village) — New Jersey, US · Museum - [Bethabara Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bethabara-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [Bready Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bready-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Sand Bridge State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sand-bridge-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park [View all places to see scarlet oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/scarlet-oak) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Scarlet Oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scarlet-oak)