Plant Family: Fagaceae
Growth Form: Large straight-trunked tree to over 35 meters in height.
Leaves / Buds: Alternate, simple, large and broad, from 10 – 20 cm long, rather dull above, lobes bristle-tipped, sinuses extend only halfway or less to the midrib. Winter buds are red-brown, pointed, and hairless.
Bark: Gray-brown, lightly furrowed, with flat shiny ridges.
Fruits: The acorns are solitary or paired and are larger than most oaks, up to 3 cm long; the cup is shallow, covering only one-third of the nut.
Habitat: Well drained soils of uplands and dry woods, will not tolerate saturated soils.
Range: Common throughout New England and most of the eastern United States.
Similar Species: Possibly confused with Black Oak, in the same habitat, but in that species the leaves are shiny above, the leaf sinuses are usually deeper, and the winter buds are white-hairy and angled from the twigs.
Comments: Northern Red Oak is an important timber tree, harvested for flooring and furniture, and is one of the most commonly planted shade trees in urban parks. It has been introduced as a commercial species to Europe for its relatively fast growth rate and superior wood. Red Oak is the state tree of New Jersey and the provincial tree of Prince Edward Island.
