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Plant of the month January 2025: Quercus rubra (Red oak)

The Quercus rubra(Red oak) – A tree full of elegance and history

The Quercus rubra, also known as the red oak, is a majestic deciduous tree with impressive properties. It is not only an impressive tree with its striking red autumn color, but also a real benefit for our environment. It originally comes from North America, but has also been widespread in Europe, especially in Germany, since the 18th century. One reason for this is its ability to adapt to the urban climate, where it also holds its own successfully. Like all trees, the red oak absorbs carbon dioxide and converts it into oxygen - an important contribution to climate protection. It is also robust and copes well with the changing climate conditions in Germany.

Description and growth
The Querscus rubra (red oak) is known for its bright red autumn leaves, which make it an eye-catcher in any landscape. It grows quickly and reaches impressive heights and a sprawling crown that makes it particularly striking.

The red oak establishes itself well after planting and is characterized by sustained strong growth even at a young age. This means that the effort required for cultural maintenance is generally low. If the stand is sufficiently dense, natural branch cleaning is efficient.

  • Growth height: 20–30 meters
  • Growth width: 12–15 meters
  • Leafs: Large, lobed and bright red and orange in autumn.
  • Bark: Gray and smooth in young trees, later dark and cracked.


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Location requirements
Quercus rubra is an adaptable tree species that thrives in a variety of soils. It prefers loose, well-drained and slightly acidic soils in a moist, mild climate, but still shows remarkable growth performance even in locations with a moderate water and nutrient supply. It feels particularly comfortable on nutrient-rich soils, while locations with strong waterlogging, waterlogging, excess lime or very dry conditions are less suitable.

Compared to native oak species, the red oak is more resistant to pests and diseases, more tolerant of shade and has a significantly higher growth rate. At a young age it forms a taproot, which later becomes a highly branched cardiac root system that gives it a high level of stability. It is therefore considered extremely storm-proof.

Additionally, the red oak is frost hardy and thrives in both rural areas and urban conditions. It prefers sunny to semi-shady locations and can be successfully planted in a wide variety of climate regions due to its robustness.

Location requirements:

  • Soil: Sandy to loamy, ideally deep and slightly acidic.
  • Light: Sunny to partially shaded.
  • Climate tolerance: Frost hardy and insensitive to urban environmental conditions.

Benefits and Uses

The red oak can be successfully integrated both in pure stands and as a productive admixture in beech or softwood stands. The silvicultural success and the associated maintenance effort depend largely on the mixture form chosen.

Individual mixing is not recommended, as more stable mixed populations are created through group, clump or strip mixtures. When planting, 3500 to 4000 plants per hectare can be placed at a distance of 1.2 to 1.5 meters to ensure sufficient density for natural branch cleaning. If pruning is planned or if useful natural regeneration is included, smaller planting numbers can also be used to ensure the care of the young stock and the development of knot-free trunks.

  • Ecological role: The red oak provides a habitat for numerous animal species and contributes to biodiversity.
  • Urban and landscape planning: Their fast growth rate and robustness make them ideal for urban greenery and reforestation projects.

Discover the beauty of red oak in our nurseries and be amazed by their grace and versatility!



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