# southern red oak (*Quercus falcata*) The southern red oak is a tall tree with beautiful leaves that turn bright colors 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:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![southern red oak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Quercus_falcata_leaf_bark.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quercus_falcata_leaf_bark.jpg) ## Appearance The southern red oak has rough, reddish-brown bark with deep furrows. Its dark green leaves are distinctive, typically bell-shaped with 3-7 bristle-tipped lobes. New growth often shows a reddish tint, while mature leaves turn russet in fall. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - Its abundant acorns are a vital food source for over 100 different animal species! - Its scientific name, \*falcata\*, means "sickle-shaped," describing its unique leaf lobes! - Southern red oaks can live for hundreds of years, often over 200 years old! - The strong wood of this tree was historically used to build ships and sturdy furniture! ## Special abilities - **Deep Root Explorer:** Southern red oak has deep taproots that help it find water in dry soils, ensuring its survival during droughts. - **Tannin Armor:** Southern red oak produces tannins in its leaves and wood, which deter herbivores and protect against decay. - **Acorn Flood:** Southern red oak periodically produces a huge number of acorns, ensuring some survive to reproduce, despite hungry animals. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 2000-3000 cm - **Spread:** 1500-2000 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Eastern gray squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Buried acorns for winter food. - **Eats:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses twigs and fallen acorns. - **Eats:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Collects and disperses acorns. - **Eats:** Pink-striped oakworm (*Anisota virginiensis*) — Feeds on the oak's leaves. ## 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. - [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 clear of falling branches and don't climb too high in trees. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify southern red 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 southern red oak? 2000-3000 cm ### How wide does southern red oak spread? 1500-2000 cm ### How big are the flowers on southern red oak? 0.2-0.5 cm ### When does southern red oak bloom? Spring ### Is southern red oak edible? No ### Is southern red oak toxic? Mild ### What is southern red oak's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Concord](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord) — Tennessee, US · Neighborhood - [Fayette County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fayette-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Plumpton Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/plumpton-park-zoo) — Maryland, US · Zoo [View all places to see southern red oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/southern-red-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: [Southern Red Oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-red-oak)