The Scarlet Oak is a native often confused with the Pin Oak. Its name is reflective of its showy, scarlet fall color. When the trees are young, they are very similar to Shumard and Pin Oak species, hence the confusion between them.

Bark: The bark is smooth and dark brown on young trees. As the tree matures, it develops wide, flat ridges with shallow fissures, and furrows.

Foliage: The 3 - 6 inch long and 2 1/2 - 4 1/2 inch wide leaves are simple, alternate, and have 7 to 9 bristle-tipped lobes that are "C" shaped. In the summer, leaves are a shiny, dark green with a dull, gray-green on bottom with tufts of hair occuring at the vein axils. The fall color varies from scarlet to sometimes russet red. Fall color usually begins in mid-November with the leaves remaining on the tree all winter.

Flowers: The flower is brown and not considered showy.

Fruit: The fruit forms as a 1/2 - 1 inch long and wide acorn. Acorns can be solitary or paired, short stalked, and are 1/3 - 1/2 enclosed by the deep, bowl-like cap. Acorns are usually found with concentric rings near the apex.

---

More Information

Tree ID Number:	320
Scientific Name:	Quercus coccinea
Mature Height:	70 - 75 ft, under landscape conditions
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	40 - 50 ft, under landscape conditions
Branching Shape:	Round topped, open
Growth Rate:	Rapid
Wood Strength:	Hard,strong, often coarse grained.
Cold Hardiness Zone:	4-9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist, Dry
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	Basically pest free, but can get: anthracnose, bacterial leaf scorch, cankers, leaf blister and spot, powdery mildew, rust, twig blight, wilt, wood decay, shoe-string root rot, galls, scales, gypsy moth, yellow necked caterpillar, pin oak saw fly, saddleback caterpillar, oak skeletonizer, asiatic oak weevil, two-lined chestnut ,borer, flatheaded borer, leaf miner, oak lace bug, and oak mite.
Comments:	Scarlet oak is planted as an ornamental because of its scarlet red fall foliage. Usually does not develop chlorosis problems to the degree of Pin Oaks. One of the last species of oaks to develop color in the fall.

Find this tree on the Campus Map

---

<< Previous Tree • All Trees • Next Tree >>