Quercus coccinea

Quercus coccinea: Autumn Belongs to Her
Behind this deciduous Tree of the Month lies the Scarlet Oak. In autumn, its leaves turn a vibrant scarlet red. While our September expert tip is already dedicated to the Indian Summer with maple varieties, it's only fair to add that the Scarlet Oak, with its stunning red foliage, also contributes to this magical display.

What's more, its leaves remain on the tree for quite a long time—as if they want to bring joy to the observer for as long as possible.

But the bark of Quercus coccinea is also captivating: in its younger years, it's light gray to silver-gray and smooth. Over the years, it becomes fissured and scaly, with a tendency to form warts. The coloring then shifts to dark gray, harmonizing excellently with the green leaves—and even more so with the scarlet red leaves in autumn.

Blown by the Wind. And: More Light, Please!
The overall appearance of the Scarlet Oak also provides clues to its age. The crown is initially conical, only later becoming looser and more rounded. If you want to watch this aging process, however, you'll need patience and a long lifespan yourself: Quercus coccinea grows quite slowly, at just about 15 centimeters (6 inches) per year.

In May and June, greenish to yellow catkins appear, which are pollinated by the wind. For the wind to rustle through its leaves, oaks prefer a bright, sunny, light-filled location. Parks and large gardens are well-suited, ideally with the Scarlet Oak as the main attraction, given ample space – not a bad idea considering its potential height of up to 25 meters (82 feet).

Not All Oaks Are Created Equal
Our Plant of the Month, the Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea), is predominantly found in eastern North America, but has now made its way to Central Europe. It belongs to the red oak family, but differs from our native oaks.

Its acorns are smaller and rounder. The wood is more coarsely porous, but also very hard and stable—a result of its slow growth. Due to these characteristics, a second life as an oak barrel isn't possible for its wood, but it's excellent for flooring or furniture. The wood is easy to work with, stain, lacquer, and oil, and screws and nails hold firmly. As a little reminder of the leaves' autumn color, the grain itself is at least reddish-brown.