Quercus coccinea
Scarlet Oak
General
Scarlet Oak is a red oak tree with excellent fall foliage. It prefers dry upland areas and sandy, acidic soils.
Plant Description
Scarlet oak is a tall and wide red oak, reaching up to 70 feet in height. Compared to other oaks, its leaves and acorns are smaller, and the acorns are ringed. Scarlet oak turns a stunning deep red in the fall.
Height (ft)
50-70
Spread (ft)
40-50
Soil moisture
Low
Soil types
Sandy, acidic soils, medium to coarse in texture
Shade tolerance
Intolerant
IntolerantBloom color
Yellow
Bloom period
Spring
Fall conspicuous
Yes
Anaerobic tolerance
None
Drought tolerance
Medium
Salinity tolerance
None
Self-Pollinating?
Yes
Range
Scarlet oak is found most commonly along the middle of the eastern seaboard of the United States, from New Hampshire and Massachusetts to South Carolina, as well as most states east of or bordering the Mississippi river. Within New England, it is common in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and southern New Hampshire, and is native but rare in Vermont and Maine.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]