How to Identify a Red Oak Tree

Overview

Red oak (Quercus rubra), also Northern red oak, is a common street and landscape tree tolerating urban conditions and varied soils. Planted widely for shade; acorns feed birds/wildlife; deer browse twigs/buds in winter.

Step 1: Size & Form

Mature 60–75 ft tall, 45 ft spread, 1–3 ft trunk diameter. Dense, rounded crown.

Step 2: Leaves

Thin, dark green, 4–8 inches, 7–11 shallow waxy lobes with bristle tips. Alternate arrangement. Fall: russet-red to bright red.

Step 3: Bark

Rough, dark at base; upper trunk has broad grayish ridges divided by fissures.

Step 4: Acorns

Round to oblong, ¾–1 inch. Thick, brown, saucer-shaped cup, no fringe, shallow with flat scales.