Plant · GBIF taxon 2880539
northern red oak
Quercus rubraAlso known as Common Red Oak, Champion Oak
Northern red oaks form majestic, rounded crowns that reach towering heights across eastern North American forests. Their dark green leaves feature distinctive bristle-tipped lobes that turn brilliant shades of crimson and russet before dropping in late autumn. Crucial to forest ecosystems, these trees produce large acorn crops every two years that feed dozens of mammal and bird species.
DeciduousTreeHardwood
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Predators
- Oak Wilt Fungus
- Spongy Moth
- Two-lined Chestnut Borer
ThreatsOak wilt, spongy moth infestations, habitat fragmentation
HabitatsUpland forests, well-drained slopes, mesic woods, parks
Life span200 to 400 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyFagaceae
- SpeciesQuercus rubra
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Leaf identification: Look for seven to eleven pointed lobes tipped with tiny hair-like bristles.
- Seasonal viewing: Visit in late autumn to witness bright red to deep burgundy leaf displays.
- Acorn spotting: Check underneath mature trees in fall for caps covering one-third of the nut.
Seed Disperser (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Alicia Ballard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sandy Wolkenberg · cc-by
Close Relative
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