Quercus rubra aka Northern Red Oak
Taxonomy
Quercus rubra, commonly known as the northern red oak, is a native tree of North America, found in the eastern and central United States and parts of Canada. It belongs to the red oak group and is often cultivated in gardens and parks in Western Europe. This deciduous tree prefers slightly acidic soil and displays vibrant autumn colors, with its leaves changing from butter-yellow to yellow green in spring and turning bright yellow before falling. The tree is characterized by its large size and broad shape, with deep green leaves in summer and red foliage in autumn. It produces red-brown acorns as fruits. The northern red oak, also referred to as the champion oak, is a moderately fast-growing shade tree that thrives in various geographic regions, ranging from zone 4 in Canada to zone 8 in Georgia. However, its growth is limited to areas with sufficient water availability, typically not extending beyond Missouri in the west.
Common names
Northern Red Oak, Red Oak, American Red OakHow to care for Northern Red Oak
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Northern Red Oak is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Northern Red Oak should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Northern Red 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
To ensure optimal growth, the Northern Red Oak prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Northern Red Oak to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Northern Red 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 Northern Red Oak is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the Northern Red Oak as it grows vertically.
Region of origin
Northern Red Oak’s native range is Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Quercus Genus
Quercus libani Lebanon Oak
Quercus variabilis Chinese Cork Oak
Quercus aucheri Boz Pirnal Oak
Quercus crassifolia Leather Leaf Mexican Oak
Quercus havardii Havard Oak
Quercus ithaburensis Valonia Oak
Quercus oblongifolia Mexican Blue Oak
Quercus prinoides Dwarf Chinkapin Oak
Quercus ellipsoidalis Hill's Oak
