Red Oak

The Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is the oak to plant when you want autumn colour without a long wait. It is fast growing for the genus and reaches about 15m tall with a 12m spread, throwing dense summer shade before turning deep russet and red as the season closes. This is a tree for an open lawn or a paddock, not a suburban courtyard.

Why you'll love it

• Reliable autumn colour. The large lobed leaves turn red and russet before dropping, and in a cool climate the display holds for weeks.
• Genuine shade. A 12m canopy of broad leaves puts a properly usable patch of cool ground beneath it.
• Fast for an oak. Oaks have a reputation for making you wait. This one puts on useful height within the first few seasons.
• Hardy where conditions are hard. Frost hardy, wind tolerant and drought tolerant once established, so exposed rural and cold inland sites suit it.

Where it works best

Shade trees. Give it a full 12m of clear space, well away from paving, slabs, pipes and boundary fences. In a paddock or large lawn it does exactly what a shade tree should.

Driveways and avenues. Space trees 10m to 12m apart so the crowns meet overhead without crowding each other. Any tighter and you lose the even canopy that makes an avenue work.

Feature planting. A single specimen in open lawn shows the branching structure through winter, which is half the appeal of a deciduous tree.

Growing Red Oak in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and plenty of room. It belongs in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, where winter chill sharpens the autumn colour. In subtropical gardens the colour is muted and this is not the right tree.

Soil. Deep, well drained and slightly acidic gives the best growth. It handles a range of soils but resents waterlogging, so improve heavy clay with compost and plant slightly proud of the surrounding level.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers, then taper off as it becomes genuinely drought tolerant. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is all it needs, with 75mm of mulch kept clear of the trunk.

Pruning. Formative pruning in the first few winters sets a single strong leader and a clear trunk. After that, remove dead or crossing branches only, and prune while dormant.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow this oak in 400mm pots, 45L and advanced 200L stock. A 400mm or 45L tree is a young whip with a defined leader, the sensible way to plant an avenue or several trees at once. The 200L size arrives with a formed trunk and branching head, established from day one.

It is deciduous, so a tree despatched between late autumn and early spring arrives bare of leaves. That is normal, and often the best time to plant. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Choosing a canopy tree for real shade
• Browse the full deciduous tree range
• Compare other trees for autumn colour
• Shop advanced trees for immediate impact

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Quickly by oak standards, with steady height each year once the roots are away. Growth is fastest in deep soil with water through the first few summers.

How far from the house should I plant it?

Well clear. With a 12m spread and a root system to match, allow at least that distance from buildings, driveways, paving and service lines.

Will it colour up in a warm garden?

Colour depends on cold nights, so it is strongest in cool temperate districts and highland areas. In warm temperate gardens expect a shorter, softer display.