Northern red oak tree Pros and Cons, Growth Rate, Diseases, Care

The northern red oak tree is the perfect choice if you enjoy tall oak trees with vibrant, deep burgundy-colored fall leaves. These trees are the ideal complement to any landscape that needs a flash of red oak leaf color each fall.

The Northern red oak, also known as Quercus rubra, is an attractive and resilient tree that performs well in almost any environment. It takes a little more work to plant a red oak tree, but the results are worth it because this American landmark will give you beautiful summer shade and dependable fall color for many years to come. 

The northern red oak tree is a tall and sturdy variety that is indigenous to the eastern and central United States as well as the southeast and central regions of Canada. They were brought to Europe for the first time in the 17th century, and because they are considered to have the potential to become invasive, caution should always be exercised when planting them outside of their native habitat. For these trees to grow well, they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. This puts them right on the line between the part sun and full sun.

Pros

The Northern Red Oak is a deciduous tree that is well recognized for its rapid growth. Unlike any other trees in the Red Oak class, the tree is distinctive. It also expands quickly, and the open canopy it has allows it to reach great heights. The tree has glossy green foliage and, once fully grown, can reach a height of 80 feet.

The trees exhibit beautiful summer foliage, which during the season changes to crimson. For birds including squirrels, the foliage is a fantastic source of food. The bark of the trees becomes ridged and darker over time.

There are only two common species of oak trees, which makes the Northern Red Oak tree unique. It is most frequently utilized in the industries related to the production of timber, which are located in the Midwest, where it is commonly grown.

The tree also produces hardwood, which is advantageous to people living in these areas. Furniture can be beautifully crafted from Northern Red Oak wood. The tree is remarkable since it is a worldwide unique species.

Northern red oak, which grows in forest stands, starts to produce fruit at around age 25, although it often doesn't start to generate a lot of seeds until it is nearly 50 years old. Individual or paired acorns reach maturity approximately 18 months following pollination. In spite of their unpleasant taste, they are an essential source of nutrition for a wide variety of mammalian and avian species.

Cons

Despite being among the trees that are more resistant to disease, oak trees can still be vulnerable to a wide range of issues. For example, oak tree saplings are more vulnerable to diseases than oak trees in their full maturity. However, mature oak trees can still experience problems over the course of their existence. The most widespread diseases that affect oak trees include mistletoe, galls, actinopelte leaf spot, hypoxylon cankers, oak leaf blister, armillaria root rot anthracnose, oak wilt, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and mistletoe. In general, you may preserve an oak tree by giving it nutrients and cutting off any damaged branches.

Growth rate

These trees are capable of reaching a height of up to 100 feet, and their thick canopies of leaves provide them with a high degree of coverage. This kind of tree is renowned for providing the finest shade among all the trees in the Midwest, particularly during the hot afternoons. These trees are known for their unique leaves, acorns, and other parts of their foliage. When the trees have reached their full age, the bark, particularly along the ridges, turns a dark brown color. 

Care

Due to its longevity and low maintenance requirements, Northern Red Oak trees have historically been among the best trees that people have considered planting. The trees thrive in a variety of soil conditions, particularly those with good drainage. Acidic, neutral, and wet soils are ideal for growing trees. These types of trees will struggle and exhibit iron deficiency symptoms in soil with a pH higher than seven. Because this variety is difficult to treat, your trees' health may decline.

You should try another tree species for your landscaping because this tree variety does not do well in alkaline soils. If you want good results, you should routinely water your Northern Red Oak. During planting seasons, you should handle oak trees with extreme caution and refrain from fertilizing them.

Pruning your Northern Red Oak tree is advised. Damaged or infected branches or twigs should also be removed. To prevent the tree from being harmed, you should always engage professionals to prune your Northern Red Oak tree.