Quercus coccinea

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Common name: Scarlet Oak

Family: Fagaceae (Beech)

Distribution: NC and E USA

Habitat: dry upland forest, ridges and slopes in hilly to mountainous terrain

Hardiness: -30 - 30 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Fall color: Red; developes very late

Foliage characteristics: Simple, alternate, 7 lobed leaves with C-shaped sinuses between lobes. 3-6" long.

Fruit characteristics: Acorns grow singularly or in pairs with half the acorn covered by its cap. .5-1" long.

Bloom Time: April to May

Bark characteristics: Dark gray with furrows and ridges.

Average height: 50-75'

Structure: Young: pyramidal Mature: rounded

Bloom characteristics: Male flowers grow in drooping catkins. Female flowers are solitary or clustered.

Description: Scarlet oak is one of the fastest growing oaks, but also has one of the shortest lifespans. It is the mayfly of oaks. It is planted widely in the US and Europe as a shade tree, and for its beautiful scarlet color in the fall.
This oak is listed as Endangered in Maine.

Links: Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder • University of Connecticut Plant Database • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

1: Cultural Resource Center (CRC) • Accession: 2011-2747*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
2: National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) • Accession: 2017-0387*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
3: National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) • Accession: 2017-0388*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
4: National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) • Accession: 2018-0806*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
5: National Museum of American History (NMAH) • Accession: 2011-0708*A
6: National Museum of American History (NMAH) • Accession: 2011-0725*A
7: National Museum of American History (NMAH) • Accession: 2011-0744*A

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Taxon

Quercus coccinea

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