Quercus falcata aka Southern Red Oak

Quercus falcata is known as southern red oak or Spanish oak. This large tree sheds its leaves each year. It belongs to the beech family, Fagaceae. Its native range spans much of the eastern United States. It grows from New Jersey south to Florida, west to Texas. The range also reaches Oklahoma, southern Missouri, and southern Illinois. It often grows on dry upland slopes with poor soil. Some trees grow near streams or on lower ground.

Garden trees reach 60–80 feet [18.3–24.4 metres] tall. Some sources report heights of 100 feet [30.5 metres]. Spread ranges from 50–70 feet [15.2–21.3 metres]. A straight trunk supports a broad, open, rounded crown. Growth is moderate, and the tree needs ample space. Young bark is smooth and pale gray. Age brings dark bark with deep grooves and thick ridges. Brown to orange twigs may have short hairs. Glossy green leaves have pale, downy undersides. Their lobes vary in shape on the same tree. Many have bristle tips and a long end lobe. Leaves turn brown and may linger into late fall.

Small flowers appear in spring as new leaves unfold. Male flowers form yellow-green catkins; female flowers are reddish. The blooms add little color to the garden. Brown acorns take two growing seasons to ripen. Each has a rough cap covering about one-third of the nut. Birds, squirrels, and other mammals feed on the acorns. The leaves support moth and butterfly larvae. Fallen leaves and nuts can create litter beneath the crown.

Grow this oak in full sun and well-drained, acid soil. It also tolerates some shade and brief periods of flooding. Sandy soils and loams suit it well. Established trees withstand drought and poor soil. Sources place its hardiness in USDA zones 6–9 or 7–9. A sheltered site helps at the colder edge of its range. It serves as a shade or street tree in large spaces. Its wood has uses in furniture, building, and fuel. Pruning helps build a sound branch structure.

Oak wilt is a key disease risk. Caterpillars can strip leaves, though most pests cause little concern. Sources differ on how well branches withstand wind. The seeds are edible only after processing removes bitter tannins. They can then be cooked or ground into flour. Leaves carry a low-severity poison warning. Swallowed acorns can also block the gut. Historical uses include bark remedies, but these reports do not establish safe treatment.