Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Quercus rubra
Source: Ivan Ruggiero
image of Deciduous Tree
Quercus rubra
Northern Red Oak
Chêne rouge

Obsolete Names

red oak
chêne boréal
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
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
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
acidic soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Quercus rubra
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

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.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

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 Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow 1-2 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 mean: 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, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one 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.