tree

Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Updated 9 Jun 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) — a tree, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Watermedium

↑ Gives back

Shadedense
Leaf_litterhigh
Acornshigh

Through the year

Emergence

Bud break and leaf emergence typically occur after the last spring frost and when air temperatures consistently rise above 100C.

Flowering

Flowering occurs shortly after leaf emergence, typically within a week.

Fruiting

Acorns develop over the summer, maturing in late summer to early autumn.

Senescence

Leaves change color and senesce with the first autumn frosts and shortening day lengths.

Dormancy

Enters dormancy after leaf drop, persisting through winter until chill requirements are met and spring temperatures rise.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained to moist
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatescalcium, potassium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam, clay_loam
Organic matterHigh
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~3 yr
Stratificationrequires cold stratification for 60-90 days
Self-seedingModerate

Wildlife & pests

Attractssquirrels, deer, birds, various insects
Can host pestsgypsy_moth, oak_wilt, two-lined_chestnut_borer
Can host diseasesoak_wilt, anthracnose