Quercus coccinea (Scarlet Oak)

Quercus coccinea, commonly known as the scarlet oak, is a medium-to-large deciduous tree native to the central and eastern United States. It is most famous for its brilliant, glossy scarlet fall foliage, making it a highly prized ornamental and shade tree in landscapes and parks. It typically grows 60-80' tall (sometimes reaching 100+ feet in the wild) with a spread of 40-60'. It develops an open, rounded crown as it matures. The leaves are 3 to 7 inches long with 7 to 9 deeply cut, bristle-tipped lobes. The deep sinuses between the lobes form distinctive "C" shapes, helping distinguish it from similar species like the pin oak. It produces small acorns (1/2 to 1 inch long) enclosed by a deep, bowl-like cap covering up to half of the nut. These provide essential food for local wildlife like squirrels, deer, and birds. It is a relatively fast-growing oak tree that can live up to 400 years. The Scarlet Oak prefers full sun, and strongly prefers acidic, well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soils. It is considered a "dry site indicator" because it adapts beautifully to poor, infertile upland soils. Suitable for USDA Zones 4–9. Unlike the pin oak, the scarlet oak is highly resistant to iron chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves) in optimal soils. However, it develops a deep, strong taproot, making it difficult to transplant once established. Keystone Host plant for over 500 species of Lepidooptera, including the Giant Silk Moth, the Hairstreak, Banded Hairstreak, Edward's Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, and White-M Hairstreak as well as the Skipper butterflies, including the Horace's Duskywing and Juvenal's Duskywing.