Red oak is a member of the broad red oak group (red, black, blackjack, pin, northern pin, and shingle oaks). This group is characterized by having bristles or points on the leaf lobes and acorns which mature in two growing seasons and sprout in the spring after maturity. 

Red oak leaves are simple and arranged alternately on the twig. They are 7 to 11 lobed, and 5 to 9 inches long with slender petioles 1 to 2 inches long. The lobes are usually no longer than one third the total leaf width; the sinuses of the lobes are u-shaped and the tips of the lobes are bristle tipped. 

The upper surface of the leaves are dull green while the lower surface is paler and without hairs except in the axils of the larger veins. Twigs are stout, reddish to greenish brown and without hairs. Winter buds are clustered at the ends of twigs, oval in shape with a sharp point, and usually chestnut brown in color. The bark on mature trees is brown to nearly black and broken up into wide, flat-topped gray ridges. On very old trees the bark may be deeply ridged and furrowed. 

Red oak is native to all of Iowa, except the northwest corner, although it is relatively rare in the northwest portion of its native range. Red oak occurs on a wide variety of sites ranging from stream terraces to dry ridges; but it is most frequently found on moist, well-drained slopes. It prefers soils which are moist, yet well drained and slightly acidic. 

Its common associates on the better sites include hard maple, basswood, bitternut hickory, black walnut, elms, and ashes. On drier sites, it often occurs with white oak and shagbark hickory. As with most of the oak species, red oak is moderately intolerant to shade. As a result, most successful oak seedlings are usually found in areas which receive full sunlight during part of the day. 

Red oak grows moderately fast, sometimes maintaining a rate of 2 feet per year especially when young. Red oak commonly attains heights of 70-80 feet and diameters of 2-3 feet. Fall color is variable and ranges from red, orange red to deep reddish brown. 

Red oak is one of the best native oaks for landscaping because of its fast growth rate and its wide adaptability of sites. It is a much better oak for landscaping then the pin oak because of pin oak's susceptibility to iron chlorosis. In addition, it is more reliable for fall color development. 

The wood of red oak is hard, strong, and heavy like that of other oaks, but is less durable although easier to machine than white oak. Current demand for red oak lumber and veneer is high because of its increased use in both the furniture and housing industries. Other uses include pallet lumber, railroad ties, and firewood.

Where can you get information?--Contact Paul H. Wray at (515) 294-1168 or write:

Native Trees of Iowa
ISU Forestry Extension
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
339 Science II
Ames, Iowa 50011-3221