Quercus coccinea aka Scarlet Oak

Taxonomy

Genus Quercus Family Fagaceae Order Fagales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Quercus coccinea, also known as the scarlet oak, is a deciduous tree belonging to the red oak section Lobatae of the Quercus genus in the Fagaceae family. This medium to large-sized tree can grow up to 20-30m tall and has an open, rounded crown. It is primarily found in the central and eastern United States and thrives in dry, sandy, usually acidic soil. Scarlet oak is often a significant canopy species in oak-heath forests and is the official tree of Washington, D.C. The leaves of the scarlet oak are glossy green, lobed, and have seven lobes with deep sinuses between them. Each lobe has 3-7 bristle-tipped teeth, and the leaf is hairless, unlike the related pin oak, which has tufts of pale orange-brown down where the lobe veins join the central vein. In autumn, the foliage of the scarlet oak turns bright scarlet, in contrast to the bronze color of the pin oak. The scarlet oak can be mistaken for the pin oak, the black oak, or occasionally the red oak. On scarlet oak, the sinuses between lobes are "C"-shaped in comparison to pin oak, which has "U"-shaped sinuses. The acorns of the scarlet oak are ovate, green maturing pale brown about 18 months after pollination, and a third to a half covered in a deep cup. The kernel is very bitter. Scarlet Oak is a super rare houseplant that is not challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Scarlet Oak likes soil that is well-draining, and your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. Scarlet Oak belongs to the Quercus genus and is native to the Northern Central and Eastern United States.

Common names

Scarlet Oak, Red Oak

How to care for Scarlet Oak

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Scarlet Oak due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Scarlet Oak should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Scarlet Oak loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Scarlet Oak thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Scarlet Oak.

Toxicity

Scarlet Oak is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Scarlet Oak is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Scarlet Oak’s native range is Eastern N. America - Maine and Ontario to Minnesota, North Carolina and Missouri.

More info:
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