Environmental Protection Value
Northern red oak can be used in ground cover restoration.
Economic Value
Wood can be used in valuable furniture manufacturing.
Garden Use
The northern red oak is prized as a shade tree and as a specimen for its excellent orange, red, and brown fall colors. It's a good choice for sloping ground, and is adaptable to butterfly, edible, native, nighttime, and pollinator gardens. Companion plantings for the northern red oak commonly include Magnolia, Snowberry, and Burning Bush.
Interesting Facts
In a mountain village in Shaanxi province, China, there is a northern red oak. It is already 500 years old. It is a nationally listed and protected ancient tree. This strange-looking tree has numerous unique shapes and strange knots at the junction of its branches. Some look like it has five human heads, and some look like a charmingly naive arhat.
Name Story
Northern red oak: On a late autumn evening, it is hard to tell whether the view of crimson comes from the sunset or this tree. It is almost as if its red leaves are behaving like the warm sun, illuminating people's hearts and bringing warmth to its surrounding. Also, its bark is red like its leaves and it gets darker as it ages. To distinguish them from Quercus falcata, which is also known as the southern red oak, the tree is called the Northern red oak.
Get quick plant knowledge with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant identification and learn about its name, symbolism, interesting facts, uses, and more.
Download the App for Free
