Red Oak

Red Oak — Quercus rubra

Quercus is Latin meaning fine tree; rubra means red. Red oak wood is so porous that some people claim smoke can be blown lengthwise through a piece three feet long.

The Latin epithet of this species, “rubra,” means red, suggesting that it turns red in the fall. While some do, others are not consistent in fall color. This is because oaks are grown primarily from seed and thus, have individuality much as the human race does. This makes positive identification in oaks difficult at times and especially in red oak since it will readily cross, in natural settings, with scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea), and pin oak (Quercus palustris). This specimen, however, is a “textbook” example in that it fits the officially described characteristics of the red oak found in botanical literature.

The growth habit is typical — strong, wide.angled branches; branch spread about as wide as the tree is tall and foliage with the bristle-tipped lobes that dip about half way to the midrib as illustrated. Actually, no two leaves on the same tree will be exactly alike.

The most distinctive feature of the tree is the acorn which may be present every year or have been “harvested” by the squirrels. The acorn has a shallow, saucer-like cup and rather large nut. Compare this with the illustration for scarlet oak, which has a triangular- shaped, deeper cup. In winter, the red oak is identified by the prominent, glossy, chestnut- brown and slightly angled buds as well as the broad- spreading growth habit. The similar scarlet oak has a columnar shape and buds with silky hairs near their tips.

While the red oak is native to the midwest and northeastern states, it can adapt to Colorado soils that are well-drained and not excessively alkaline. Where it can be grown, it is a prized tree because of its long life, strong branching and relatively low maintenance.

Other Denver locations

South Logan and Florida; Washington Park (NW corner), and Crown Hill Cemetery, BI.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Red_Oak