Scarlet Oak

Scientific Nomenclature: Quercus coccinea

Common Name: scarlet oak

Mature Height: 70–75 feet

Mature Spread: 40–50 feet 

Growth Rate: Moderate

Attracts Wildlife: Birds, mammals, select butterfly and moth species

Messiness: Acorns will drop in a large mast in autumn, though the tree doesn’t start to produce acorns until 20 years old. Showy leaves drop in late autumn or early winter.

Shape: Pyramidal/Spreading

Native to Kentucky: Yes

Preferred Soils: Prefers sandy, acidic (<6.0pH) soils but is tolerant of other soil types as long as they are well-drained.

Screening: Not used as a screening/privacy tree.

Drought Tolerance: Tolerant of drought, heat, and dry soils.

Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous

Pruning: Rarely needs to be pruned, if ever. This tree often retains numerous small dead branches throughout its crown, if those become problematic they can be removed.

Following being planted as a sapling, over 20 years one scarlet oak will:

• Sequester ~1,585 pounds of CO2.
• Reduce stormwater runoff by 388 gallons.