Red Oak- Quercus rubra
Description
General: A large deciduous tree with a rounded broad spreading, irregular crown normally growing 60 to 75,’ sometimes reaching 100’ in the wild.
Leaves: Alternate, simple and oval with 7 to 11 sharp pointed, toothed lobes, 4 to 8” long. Leaves are pinkish to red when unfolding maturing to dark green in the summer and then russet to dark red in the fall.
Bark: Brown black with wide, gray ridges.
Flower: Insignificant. Green male and female catkins in the spring.
Fruit: A single or paired brown acorn with saucer shaped cups up to 1” long and maturing in the early fall.
Attributes: A fast growing oak for lawns, parks, and commercial areas. Commonly used as a urban or street tree.
Culture
Hardiness: Zones 3-7.
Growing Conditions: Prefers acidic, well drained, sandy loam soils and full sun. Pollution tolerant.
Maintenance: Oak wilt, chlorosis.
Transplanting: Easily transplanted.
Our Experience
Experience at Great Hill
We feature a large red oak directly outside our formal garden, known as our “Shinboku” oak. Shinboku is a Japanese word that translates to mean “divine tree.” Our sacred tree is an impressive native specimen that brings multi-seasonal interest to our landscape and requires little to no maintenance other than occasional pruning and acorn clean up.
White oak- Quercus alba
Description
General: An upright, broad-rounded, deciduous tree with wide spreading branches. Typically grows 50 to 80’, but can reach 100’ in the wild.
Leaves: Alternate, simple and obovate with 5 to 9 deep, rounded lobes, 4 to 8” long. Leaves are pinkish to grayish when unfolding maturing to dark green or blue green in the summer and then to a brown to rich red color in the fall.
Bark: Light ashy gray, plated, scaly and fissured.
Flower: Insignificant. Green male and female catkins in the spring.
Fruit: A single or paired light brown acorn with bowl like caps that have bumpy scales. Acorns are up to 1” long and mature in the early fall.
Attributes: A slow growing shade tree for large areas such as lawns, parks or streets.
Culture
Hardiness: Zones 3-9.
Growing Conditions: Prefers deep, moist, well drained acid soils in full sun
Maintenance: Oak wilt, anthracnose, scale, leaf miner and lace bug.
Transplanting: Easily transplanted balled and burlapped to well draining acid soil.
Our Experience
Experience at Great Hill
While we don’t currently have a white oak specimen planted on the hill, they are a numerous species in the wild woods of our area. The wood is used for furniture and flooring as well as boat building and casks of many kinds. The acorn is edible and enjoyed by many kids of birds and mammals. White oaks are a majestic and handsome shade tree native to our area.