Street Trees Through the Seasons - Scarlet Oak

Quercus coccinea (Scarlet Oak) is in the Fagaceae family, and native to the eastern United States. The tree is deciduous, and key diagnostics include an upright, broad oval canopy with wide horizontal branches. Leaves are alternate, simple, 4-6” long, bright glossy green, obovate, with 5-9 deep lobes and wide circular sinuses, and turn red in the fall in cold climates (in Dublin, leaves turn brown, and remain on the tree all winter and into spring unless blown off with the wind). Flowers are insignificant yellow-tan tassels that bloom in spring. Acorns are reddish brown, oval, sessile or short stalked, with scales covering 1/3 – ½ of the nut. Bark is smooth and white when young, becoming grayish brown and furrowed with vertical ridges as it ages.

Quercus coccinea leaves - form and habit.

 

This tree sets down deep roots, and is an excellent street, park, parkway or lawn shade tree. Deep watering helps establish the tree with vigorous growth, and the tree does better with moderate moisture.

Winter - dried leaves remain on the tree until blown off.	Spring - flower tassels emerge, followed by fresh leaves.
Summer - light, airy canopy; the long petioles cause the leaves to "shimmer".	Fall - in a cooler climate the leaves would turn red; in Dublin, they turn shades of brown.

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