Discover the Majesty and Versatility of Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra, or true Northern Red Oak, is abundant in Pennsylvania and is but one of a variety of so-called Red Oaks in the Mid-Atlantic (Scarlett Oak, Black Oak, Pin Oak among others). It is a prolific and stately tree, topping upwards of 90’ tall, with beautiful brick-red leaves in the fall. Indigenous Americans used to eat their acorns, treating them in boiled water to remove the tannins. Moderately durable as it stands, Red Oak is strong, course-grained, hard to dry, and porous enough that it is said smoke can be blown lengthwise though a 3-foot board. The tree is popular for lining boulevards and gardens, parks and golf courses. Its lumber is used extensively in cabinets, fence posts, furniture and flooring.

Alternate names

Red Oak, Grey Oak, Eastern Red Oak, Mountain Red Oak

Range

Nova Scotia to Minnesota, as far south as Georgia and Northern Alabama, East to the ocean

Latin Name

Quercus rubra

Educational Source

We’d like to credit the book, " A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America," in helping us craft these Specie profiles