Blog  October 6, 2011

Red Oak: A tree for all seasons

Red oak leaves and it’s stately profile (Photo: Court Noxon (L), Bill Moses (R))

This deciduous tree, a favourite of squirrels, is distinctive by its acorn fruit and leaves with shallow pointed lobes. Often planted in cities, red oak (Quercus rubra) provides excellent shade. It weathers the cold well and can live a long life, and has gorgeous fall colours, making it an ideal tree for all of Canada’s seasons. A member of the beech family, red oak provides valuable habitat for a range of wildlife, and its wood is prized by carpenters.

Learn more about red oak and other native plants we love on the Native Plant Database.