The most common oak in northern New England. Typically a single large trunk dividing into several large ascending spreading branches. While the branches are not as massive as some of the other oaks, its open rounded crown is magnificent. The trunk is a deep grey textured web of surfaces overlaid one upon another. Sharply toothed foliage turns orange-tan during apple season.
Fast growing, up to 2' per year. Prefers well-drained sandy slightly acid soils; red oaks we planted in shallow ledgy ground are thriving. Tolerates shade, compacted soil, salt, pollution and other urban conditions. Native to eastern North America. Z4. (1–3' bare-root trees)
Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered
on or before March 7 will ship around March 31
through late April, starting with warmer areas and finishing in
colder areas. Orders placed after March 7 will
ship around late April through early-to-mid May, in the order in
which they were received.
ships in spring
7500
Northern Red Oak
Additional Information
Oaks Quercus spp.
Many oaks are native to New England. They are generally divided into two groups: the reds and the whites. The reds have pointier leaves and the whites have rounder ones. Most of them make absolutely breathtaking shade trees, creating a major presence in almost any landscape and providing bountiful forage for wildlife and for humans. The strongly astringent inner bark, foliage and acorn caps are all medicinal, and acorns were an extremely important human food source for thousands of years. Contrary to much of the literature, all acorns are edible, both reds and whites. (For detailed instructions on acorn processing, see Samuel Thayer’s book, Nature’s Garden.) The tannins from a handful of oak leaves added to homemade half-sours will keep pickles crisp for months. Oaks are monoecious so you need only one to get fruit.
