Height: The northern red oak tree grows to about 60 or 70 feet in height; ornamental specimens in open areas may reach 90 feet or more
Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous
Lifespan: Likely average of 100 to 200 years, but sometimes twice as long
Fall Foliage: Typically dark red; enjoyable color, but not in the same league with real fall show stoppers
Range: The majority of the U.S., except for the southeastern and southwestern swaths of the country and the high plains
Typical Habitat: Various forest types. Generally grows best on well-drained slopes, but also widely planted as a street tree, so it may be seen nearly anywhere.
The Northern Red Oak Tree’s Lifespan
Many oaks are noted for their long lifespans, and northern red oaks are no exception.
They probably don’t reach the advanced age that some white oaks (Quercus alba) do, but the species is capable of reaching 400 years of age in rare cases. The oldest living specimen for which we can find a reliable reference appears to be approximately 342 years of age.
The species’ longevity points, in many ways, to its hardy nature. In fact, the Missouri Botanical Garden describes it as “durable.” It rarely suffers from problems with pests, and it has strong wood, unlike some other members of the red oak group. This hardy nature, along with the tree’s relatively drama-free nature and aesthetic charm, have also made it popular among landscapers and homeowners.
Northern Red Oak Tree Acorns: A Vital Wildlife Resource
Acorns are obviously important to a variety of wild animals. And this not only includes squirrels and chipmunks, but jays, rats, turkeys, and deer too. For that matter, acorns were an important food source for humans for long periods of our history.
However, not all acorns are created equally. At least, not in the eyes of the animals who eat them.
Squirrels and most other animals that subsist heavily on acorns tend to preferentially consume acorns from species in the white oak group. These acorns tend to be more palatable, easier to digest, and they’re produced annually — they’ll turn up on the forest floor every time fall rolls around.
By contrast, acorns produced by trees in the red oak group are usually bitter, thanks to their elevated tannin content (relative to white oak acorns). Most red oak acorns also contain more fiber than their white counterparts, making them a bit harder to digest. And perhaps most importantly, they’re often only produced in alternating years; red oak acorns require two years to mature.
But acorns from the red oak group do have a lot of things going for them.
For one, they are nutritionally superior to white oak group acorns in many ways. More specifically, they usually contain more calories, protein and fat than their white counterparts. They don’t taste as good as white oak acorns, but they provide more resources to squirrels and their ilk. They also germinate much more slowy than white oak acorns.
All of this means that, in practice, acorn-eating critters tend to gobble up white acorns as quickly as they can. But this can leave them with very little food by the time late winter rolls around. But in those years where red oaks drop acorns, the animals are often able to remain better fed while waiting for the arrival of spring.
The Northern Red Oak Tree: Identification Tips & Tricks
It’s easy to recognize a northern red oak as a member of the red oak group by looking at the leaves — just noting the bristle-tipped lobes will allow you to do that. But they can occasionally be tricky to distinguish from some of their relatives, such as the black (Q. velutina) and scarlet oaks (Q. coccinea).
Nevertheless, northern red oak leaves generally have 7 to 11 lobes, and their sinuses (the gaps between the lobes) are usually shallower than those of scarlet oaks and deeper than the shade leaves of black oaks.
But the easiest way for the average nature lover to identify mature northern red oaks is by glancing at the trunk and major branches. Northern red oaks develop a distinct vertically striped appearance, which is easy to recognize with a bit of practice.
Buds and acorns will also provide identification clues, but these require a bit more examination than the average forest-trekker will be interested in investing.
The Northern Red Oak tree: Additional Information
Need to read more (or see more photos) of this important species? Check out these high-quality resources, which share more info about the northern red oak tree.
- NC State Extension: A cursory overview of the species’ biology, but (more importantly) it provides a number of photographs of red oak tree leaves, flowers, acorns, and bark.
- US Forest Service: A comprehensive, yet digestible PDF covering all major aspects of northern red oak culture and biology.
- Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation: A short and sweet fact sheet that includes photos of the tree and description of several species with which the northern red oak is commonly confused.
