Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
▲ old tree at Shoaff Park in Ft. Wayne, IN
▲▼ younger, mature trees
▲ old tree at Minnesota Arboretum
▲ grove of red oaks on Michigan State University campus
▲▼ leaves, with typical fall color below
▲▼ more leaves with fall color
▲▼ tree in fall color
▲▼ bark, on younger tree (above) and older tree (below)
Location on campus: north side of Taylor Health Center, northwest corner of Temple Hall
Quercus rubra:
Red Oak, Northern Red Oak
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leaves alternate, deciduous, simple, ovate, 7-11 lobed leaves; lobes gonig about
1/3-1/2 in toward mid-vein; leaves 4.5-8.5" long and 2/3 to 3/4 as wide; shiny
dark green above and gray or yellow-green below; sometimes red in fall, often
yellow-brown around here (leaves fall off during autumn)
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stems stout, green to reddish brown and shiny
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buds are 1/4 - 1/3" long, broadest at base tapering to a pointed tip; covered
with smooth, shiny, reddish-brown scales
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bark is dark gray with moderate ridges and furrows
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grows 60-75' tall with 2/3 to equal spread; lateral branches thick; has rounded
to oval habit
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acorn is about 1" long and 2/3 as wide, dark brown, enclosed about 1/4 in flat,
thin cap
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prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils, can tolerate fairly wet soils
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medium growth rate
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native to Missouri (and Springfield)