Reaching heights of 21 to 24 m, the southern red oak is a magnificent shade tree that can live up to 275 years. It is of great importance to both man and wildlife having numerous uses, such as a nesting site and source of food for birds and mammals. Lumber from this hardwood is also used for furniture and construction.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Quercus falcata, also called southern red oak, spanish oak, bottomland red oak or three-lobed red oak is an oak (part of the genus Quercus). Native to the southeastern United States, it gets its name the “Spanish Oak” as these are the areas of early Spanish colonies, whilst “southern red oak” comes from both its range and leaf color during late summer and fall. The southern red oak is a deciduous angiosperm, so has leaves that die after each growing period and come back in the next period of growth.
Quercus, is Latin for “oak” and followed by the specific epithet, falcata, which in Latin means “sickle-shaped” in reference to the shape of the lobes that are present on their leaves.
Quercus falcata is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree 25–30 meters (82–98 feet) tall, with a few forest grown specimens on highly productive sites reaching 35–44 m (115–144 ft), with a trunk up to 1.5 m (5 ft) in diameter, the crown with a broad, round-topped head.
The leaves are 10–30 centimeters (4–12 inches) long and 6–16 cm (2+1⁄4–6+1⁄4 in) wide, with 3 to 5 sharply pointed, often curved, bristle-tipped lobes, the central lobe long and narrow; the small number of long, narrow lobes is diagnostic, readily distinguishing southern red oak from other red oaks. The base of the leaf is distinctly rounded into an inverted bell shape and often lopsided. They are dark green and shiny above, and rusty and hairy below, particularly along the midrib and veins.
The seed is a short acorn 9–16 millimeters (11⁄32–5⁄8 in) long, bright orange-brown, enclosed for one-third to half of its length in a flat cup. The acorn matures at the end of its second season. The bark is dark brownish gray with narrow, shallow ridges.
The southern red oak is cultivated in the eastern United States in USDA Zone 5a to USDA Zone 9b. It can survive lows from -23°C to -28.8°C (-10°F to -20 °F) and highs of 38°C (100°F).
Southern red oak has been reported to form occasional hybrids with several other red oaks in the region.
The southern red oak is susceptible to damage as a result of its relatively thin bark. This thinner bark means that fire can easily damage the trees in the form of fire scars and other damage. Bark roughness increases in xeric sites compared to mesic ones potentially an adaptation to fire frequency. The seedlings of southern red oak can survive prescribed fire in winter. The harm caused by fire can leave the tree vulnerable to heart rot.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Southern red oak should be planted in a field with full sun. It gives shade, shady plants can be planted under it.
Temperature
Southern red oak grows in a large range of temperatures. It is adaptable in hardiness zones 5-9.It prefers well drained soil with adequate ventilation in the tree canopy. Southern red oak will not do well in standing water. Also, leaf molds pose serious threats if the leaves cannot dry out in the wind. So make sure they are not stuck against buildings where rainwater may drain.
Watering
Keep soil moist but well drained. Oaks form a taproot and will draw moisture up from below. So make sure there is humid soil if you dig down a few inches, but do not flood the topsoil. Reducing summer water apply will make southern red oak more healthy, they tolerate summer dry spells very well.
Soil
Ideal soils are well-drained loam, sandy-loam, or sandy-clay soils. Some alluvial fan areas and silts harbor good oaks stands. The key in all of these is that the soil is well-drained. Standing water cannot be tolerated by oaks.
Fertilizing
Southern red oak can survive and thrive without supplemental fertilization. But if you wish to give them extra nutrients you can add some of 12-6-6 (N-P-K) fertilizer. This has more of a ratio of nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Also, consider the natural environment of oaks. They grow where there is lots of forest litter. This forest litter acts as natural mulch that breaks down into organic matter and humus. So one way to give some natural nutrition is to spread mulch by your oak trees. They will love the extra organic matter.
Planting Instructions
It may takes a very long time if you want to get a mature oak tree from an acorn. But with patience, planting a small tree is still fun. Be sure to kill weevil larvae by soaking the acorns in 41 ℃ water for 30 minutes, stratify in moist sand in the refrigerator (not freezer), and plant in the springtime.
Pruning
Branches should be pruned to avoid moist pockets or where heavy branches may fall on people or buildings. Avoid having branches that grow with leaves tight together or pressed against buildings. If rain collects in these pockets then molds and fungi can attack. Southern red oak love having their leaves dry out in a well ventilated breeze.
To ensure that no danger occurs from the brittle hardwood branches, make sure that heavy branches do not hang over walking paths or outbuildings. Also, do not let children play near oaks in a thunderstorm as they are susceptible to falling branches and lightning strikes.
Transplanting
Optimal transplant time for southern red oak is the cool and dormant period, also known as /S2/ or late fall to early spring. This gives southern red oak ample time to establish before summer’s heat. Choose sun-drenched, well-drained locations. Be gentle during transplantation to avoid root damage.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Southern red oak is a popular tree in front and backyards, prized for its spreading branches which give it an even leafy canopy. When the leaves change in autumn, it adds even more color to the area. Southern red oak is often grown with Asiatic ivy and other dark green groundcovers that contrast against the red leaf buds in the spring.
- Other uses
The southern red oak is a tree with diverse potential uses, such as for manufacturing of floors, furniture, construction materials and lumber thanks to the sturdy, durable and coarse-grained wood it provides. The southern red oak is vital in the southeastern United States due to its abundance, providing around 8.1% of annual hardwood volume. Southern red oak wood is used as a fuel source because of its high heat value. The southern red oak provides tannin, which is used to preserve and treat leather. The southern red oak has a large root system that provides watershed protection to reduce flood damage and soil stability. Other uses for southern red oak include as shade trees and aesthetic uses in gardens. Southern red oak can provide acorn mast for deer, squirrels, turkeys, song birds and quail.
