Red oak, Norther red oak
Quercus borealis

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

A tree with a large dome shape. The branches are straight. It grows 35 m high. The bark is shiny grey and turns dark brown and develops cracks. The leaves are alternate and with shorter stout stalks than scarlet oak. Both sides of the leaf are matt green. The leaves turn dark red in autumn. The acorns are held in shallow saucer like cups. The acorns ripen in their second year. The kernels are bitter.

There are about 600 Quercus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on deep, well drained soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Acorns, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

It grows rapidly.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

See Quercus rubra; Quercus ambigua;