Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Native to the northeast section of the United States the northern red oak grows to a height of 60–75′ and a spread of around 45′ at maturity. Leaves are alternate, simple, 5–9 inches long, with 7–11 bristle-tipped lobes cut halfway to the midrib. Lobes are uneven in size and length, those along the upper half short and broad. The bark is gray with deep grooves lower on the trunk, while higher on the trunk the wide gray grooves resemble “ski tracks” a distinctive feature in red oaks. Acorns are shiny, 1–1¼ inches long, barrel-shaped, hairy at the cup end. Cup encloses about ¼ of the nut. Acorns from this tree are at the top of the food preference list for blue jays, wild turkeys, squirrels, small rodents, whitetail deer, raccoons, and black bears. Deer also browse the buds and twigs in wintertime.

 

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