Quercus coccinea Münchh.

Scarlet Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Scarlet Oak is a native tree in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It occurs throughout Alabama, but is most common in the northern two-thirds of the state. Scarlet Oak grows in dry sandy pine woods, on dry slopes, in rocky woods, and on ridges. It is a tree growing to 80 feet in height. The bark is dark grey to black and broken into ridges. The leaves are alternate, deciduous, ovate to obovate in outline, with 5-9 deep lobes. The lobes are bristle tipped and the sinus is rounded. The leaves are shiny green above and pale green below. The leaves are glabrous except for tuff of hairs in the axils of the major veins on the lower surface. Male flower are produced in catkins. The female flowers are on short stalks in the leaf axils. The fruit is an acorn that requires two years to mature. Acorns are about one inch in length with a cap covering about half of the acorn. The scales at the apex of the cap are tight. Large crops of acorns are produced every other year. Scarlet Oak is often planted as an ornamental for its bright red autumn color. It is moderately fast growing and tolerant of drought and nutrient poor soils. It is often available from nurseries, or can be grown from seed. Several varieties are available including “Splendens”, and “Ruby Red”.--A. Diamond

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Native

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