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Scarlet Oak main item image
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Scarlet Oak

bare-root trees
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$21.00
Item: 7567-A
stock details: 2–4' bare-root trees
Quercus coccinea

50-70' × 40-50'

Important wildlife canopy species of Appalachian mountains and highland terrain of oak-heath forests from southern Maine to Alabama. Rare in Maine, its northernmost 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. With our changing climate, it may now be able to get a foothold in central Maine. Zone 5.

Maine Grown.
ships in spring
Quick Details
Maine Grown
Yes
Hardy to Zone
5
Compare
Compare with other Oak
Variety Product Type Maine Grown Hardy to Zone
White Oak bare-root trees 3
Scarlet Oak bare-root trees Yes 5
Bur Oak bare-root trees 3
Northern Red Oak bare-root trees 4
Additional Information

Oaks Quercus spp.

Many oaks are native to New England. They are generally divided into two groups: the reds and the whites. The reds have pointier leaves and the whites have rounder ones. Most of them make absolutely breathtaking shade trees, creating a major presence in almost any landscape and providing bountiful forage for wildlife and for humans. The strongly astringent inner bark, foliage and acorn caps are all medicinal, and acorns were an extremely important human food source for thousands of years. Contrary to much of the literature, all acorns are edible, both reds and whites. (For detailed instructions on acorn processing, see Samuel Thayer’s book, Nature’s Garden.) The tannins from a handful of oak leaves added to homemade half-sours will keep pickles crisp for months. Oaks are monoecious so you need only one to get fruit.

Shipping

Items from our perennial plants warehouse ship from early March through mid-to-late May, weather depending, beginning with warmer USDA zones.