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Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Fast-growing oak with brilliant red fall color. Acorns mature in two seasons; supports hundreds of moth and butterfly larvae.

Family

Fagaceae

Type

tree

Lifespan

perennial

Height

50–75 ft

Spacing

50–75 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade

Soil moisture

dry, moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

March, April, May

Bloom colors

yellow, green, brown

Wildlife value

butterflies, hummingbirds, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~557 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

specimen

Native states

AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV