Quercus rubra

Red Oak

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
35m but rarely more than 20m in cultivation 1
35m 5
30m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Globular to broad ovoid at maturity, potentially >10m 1
At least 8m 2
Broadly conical 3

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Moderate (283 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.:
Moderately dense 1
Dense, more so than Q. petraea 3

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Late (May to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 1 to high 4

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree:
Less long-lived than native oaks 6
100+ years, rarely more than 200 years 8

Management & Systems

Typical systemsiCommon agroforestry or silvicultural systems where this species is used:
Arable or pasture 1
Primarily lowland 2

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Coppices well 3

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Fast growing 26

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.:
Minimal or no pruning 1
High pruning needed early 3

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Spring (late) to summer 1

Red Oak, Reading, UK / Tom Staton / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Timber, but lower value than native oaks 125
Max YC 8 4, or range 3-9, higher than native oaks 2
Timber is prone to defects, especially during drought 2

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: Fuelwood 5

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: 70 to 120 years 13

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: High – deep roots and moderate canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Relatively low
Long-term (60 years): Relatively low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Recent introduction (neophyte) – naturalised 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups: Likely moderate to high value based on neophyte status and value of native oaks

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: May 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Low 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: Risk of toxicity from buds, young leaves and acorns, especially in cattle and horses 1731

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability:
Capable of becoming very large spreading tree 2
May be susceptible to Oak Processionary Moth, which has human health risks 6

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
Less susceptible than native oaks 3
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and honey fungus 6, Phytophthora and honey fungus 5

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Low to moderate
Less susceptible than native oaks 3
Susceptible to oak processionary moth 3
May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, oak gall wasps 6

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
High
High pressure from deer browsing in native range 9