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Scarlet Oak

Tree or Plant Type: 
  • Tree

Foliage: 

  • Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Landscape Uses: 
  • Shade tree, 
  • Specimen

Size Range: 

  • Large tree (more than 40 feet)

Mature Height: 

40-75 feet

Mature Width: 

40-75 feet

Light Exposure: 

  • Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)

Hardiness Zones: 

  • Zone 5, 
  • Zone 6, 
  • Zone 7, 
  • Zone 8

Soil Preference: 

  • Acid soil, 
  • Moist, well-drained soil

Tolerances: 

  • Dry sites

Acid Soils: 

  • Prefers

Alkaline Soils: 

  • Intolerant

Salt Spray: 

  • Intolerant

Soil Salt: 

  • Tolerant
 
 
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By Famartin – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37003660

Drought Conditions: 

  • Moderately Tolerant

Poor Drainage: 

  • Intolerant

Planting Considerations: 

  • Messy fruit/plant parts

Ornamental Interest

  • Fall color

Season of Interest: 

  • Mid fall, 
  • Late fall

Flower Color & Fragrance: 

  • Inconspicuous

Shape or Form: 

  • Oval, 
  • Pyramidal

Growth Rate: 

  • Moderate

Transplants Well: 

  • Yes

Wildlife: 

  • Mammals, 
  • Migrant birds

True to its name, the scarlet oak produces wonderful scarlet fall color. This tree is best used in residential yards rather than as a street tree.

Field Observations: 

Scarlet oak is a member of the red oak group with lobed leaves and is valued for its ornamental attributes as well as its fine wood. It is considered an excellent alternative to the overplanted pin oak because it is beautiful throughout the year and tolerates alkaline soil.

sunscapes ohio landscaping