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One of the faster growing of North American native oak trees, the Southern Red Oak can add up to 2 feet or so in height per year reaching 60 to 80 feet tall and 40 to 50 feet wide at maturity with a rounded crown. The large leaves up to 9 inches long come in two different types on the same tree. One has 3 to 5 irregularly shaped bristle-tipped lobes with the terminal lobe being longest. The other type is pear-shaped with 3 rounded lobes towards the end. The dark green leaves turn a reddish brown in fall. Insignificant flowers occur in spring in the form of catkins which are followed by small, rounded, copper-brown acorns wearing a light tan top cap. Young bark is smooth and light gray becoming deeply furrowed and dark grey with age. As is with most oak trees, the Southern Red Oak has many benefits to wildlife, supporting many species of butterflies, moths, birds and mammals. It is highly adaptable to most any soil type, including clay and poor soils, provided the site is well drained. It is very drought tolerant when established but will also tolerate occasionally flooding. This long-lived and no-maintenance oak is ideal for use as a large shade tree in residential areas and parks or in groupings or groves for forestation and reclamation projects. Its high tolerance of air pollution and poor soil makes it a good selection for urban areas.

Growing 60 to 80 feet tall and 40 t0 50 feet wide at maturity, the Southern Red Oak is ideal for use as a shade tree around the home and outdoor living spaces. When planted on the west side of a home the shade it provides can significantly reduce cooling costs. Also excellent in groupings for forestation or reclamation projects. A fine addition to the Xeriscape (low water needs), native plant gardens and wildlife gardens where the acorns are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, deer, wild turkeys, blue jays, red-headed woodpeckers and many other wildlife species. Also provides a canopy for shelter. 

Suggested Spacing:  60+ feet for space between trees

The Southern Red Oak is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained to dry soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. It prefers an acidic soil ranging from 4.0 to 6.0 on the pH scale. Established trees are exceptionally drought tolerant. We suggest at least 5 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. A very low maintenance tree that requires no pruning unless you want to remove some lower branches to expose more trunk. Young trees will benefit from fertilizer however older trees can usually get the needed nutrients from the soil and rain water.