Important wildlife canopy species of Appalachian mountains and highland terrain of oak-heath forests from southern Maine to Alabama. Rare in Maine, the northernmost limit of its range, where its few existing populations are endangered from development and logging.

Considered part of the Red Oak group due to bristle tips on leaves and 2-year maturation of acorns. Leaves have 7–9 lobes and wide sinuses. Scarlet red foliage in fall. Dark grey bark has irregular ridges and reddish inner bark like the red oak. Wood is strong and heavy though coarsely grained.

Requires dry acidic soil, likes sand—intolerant of alkaline soils. Full sun. Owing to our changing climate conditions, it may now be able to get a foot hold in Central Maine. Z5. Maine Grown. (2-4' bare-root trees)