Spring Planting Season is Here!! Grow Stronger, Healthier Trees for Less!!
Bare root trees grow faster, cost 50% less, AND establish much better than potted trees. PLUS they leave a much smaller environmental footprint. Order NOW before the season ends!
Southern Red Oak Tree
Southern Red Oak Tree
Couldn't load pickup availability
Quercus falcata
Southern Red Oak Tree –
The Southern Red Oak Tree is a stately native hardwood known for its broad canopy, deeply lobed leaves, and rugged drought tolerance. A hallmark of the southeastern U.S., this fast-growing shade tree thrives in dry upland soils and delivers towering height, seasonal color, and valuable wildlife habitat.
Ideal for large landscapes, reforestation, and native woodland plantings, the Southern Red Oak provides decades of shade, structure, and ecological support while standing strong through heat, drought, and time.
Southern Red Oak Tree Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Quercus falcata |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Southern Red Oak, Spanish Oak |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 60–80 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 50–70 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Moderate to fast (1.5–3 feet per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 100–200+ years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 6–9 |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun (critical for strong structure and canopy spread) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Well-drained loam, clay, sandy, or rocky soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5–7.0) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| 🍁 Foliage Color | Dark green in summer; orange to reddish-brown in fall |
| 🌰 Fruit Type | Small acorns ripen in fall; food source for wildlife |
| 🐝 Pollination | Wind-pollinated; supports pollinators indirectly |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Upright with broad, spreading canopy |
| ↔️ Spacing | 40–70 ft for parkland or reforestation spacing |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Shade tree, native restoration, rural landscapes, large yards |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
Environmental Benefits
🌰 Produces acorns that feed deer, squirrels, turkeys, and birds
🌿 Thrives in poor, dry soils where few other hardwoods succeed
🍁 Adds seasonal beauty and long-term shade structure
🌎 Supports native biodiversity and carbon sequestration efforts
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🌳 Majestic presence with wide, arching canopy | 📏 Requires ample space for full growth |
| 🌞 Highly drought-tolerant and heat-hardy | 🌱 Not suitable for compact yards or urban lots |
| 🍂 Strong seasonal color and attractive foliage | 💧 Young trees need consistent water until established |
| 🌰 Excellent wildlife value through acorn production | 🐛 May be susceptible to oak pests without routine monitoring |
| 🧬 Native species with ecological and environmental benefits | 🪓 Slow to mature into full-size canopy in early years |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Water deeply before and after planting; mulch well to retain soil moisture
🕳️ Dig a hole twice the size of the root spread; plant with root flare at soil level
🌾 Apply 2–4 inches of mulch around the base, avoiding trunk contact
💦 Water weekly during the first two years, then reduce as roots establish
✂️ Prune only to remove damaged limbs or shape young canopy in late winter
🧪 Fertilize only if soil is nutrient-deficient; generally thrives without amendments
The Southern Red Oak Tree is a legacy species that offers durability, beauty, and habitat across generations. Whether you're shading a field, restoring a native woodland, or planting for future wildlife, this iconic oak brings strength, stature, and long-term value to any southern landscape.
Share
