Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Quercus rubra
Source: Ivan Ruggiero
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Plant Names

image of Deciduous Tree
Quercus rubra
Northern Red Oak
Chêne rouge

Synonyms

red oak
chêne boréal

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Green Bloom Period: May - May
Max Height: 75.0 feet
Max Width: 30.0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses: No landscape information available.
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Foot Traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic around the plant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Acidic Soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Quercus rubra
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Quercus rubra

  • Antheraea polyphemus (Polyphemus)
  • Apatelodes torrefacta (Spotted Apatelodes)
  • Eacles imperialis (Imperial)
  • Erynnis horatius (Horace's Duskywing)
  • Erynnis juvenalis (Juvenal's Duskywing)
  • Eupithecia miserulata (American Common Pug)
  • Haploa clymene (Clymene)
  • Limenitis arthemis ssp. astyanax (Red Spotted Purple)
  • Paonias excaecata (Blinded Sphinx)
  • Polygonia faunus (Green Comma)
  • Prochoerodes lineola (Large Maple Spanworm)
  • Satyrium calanus (Banded Hairstreak)
  • Satyrium caryaevorus (Hickory Hairstreak)
  • Satyrium liparops (Striped hairstreak)

Specialized Bees Supported by Quercus rubra

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
  • Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
  • Magnoliaceae (Magnolia)
  • Acer japonicum (Japanese Maple)
  • Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)
  • Juglans nigra (Black Walnut Cultivar)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow 1 inch deep
  • Sow by January
  • Stratification duration: 90 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Soak for 24h.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are released from plant
  • Harvesting:
    • Nut has been released from tree
  • Seed viability test:
    • Put seed in container filled with water
    • If the seed goes at the bottom of the container, you can donate
    • If seed floats, do not donate
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.