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Scarlet Oak

A deciduous, large tree with a rounded, open crown of glossy foliage. Native to Maine, south to Georgia, west to Mississippi, Missouri and Indiana.

Scientific Name:

Quercus coccinea

Mature Height:

60 - 80'

Mature Spread:

40 - 50'

Leaves:

Deeply lobed, shiny green to 6" long, turning bright scarlet when nights are cold in early autumn. Less dramatic if nights are warmer. Leaves hang on during winter.

Flowers:

Catkins.

Fruit:

Reddish brown acorns, 1/2" - 1" long with deep cup. Starts bearing fruit at 20 years of age, at 3 - 5 year intervals.

Root System:

No large surface roots.

Growth Rate:

Moderate to fast growth in deep, rich soil.

Cultural Notes:

Adaptable to a variety of soils. May attract aphids.

Sacramento Specimen:

130 Sandburg Drive, 95819

Del Campo Park - south of Heathcliff Dr. parking lot.

Madison & Date Avenues

Minimum Planting Distances

• from SMUD pad mounted equipment (such as a transformer mounted on a concrete pad): 8 feet
• from a building foundation: 15 feet
• from walks and driveways: 8 feet
• from an air conditioner: 8 feet
• from a fence: 6 feet
• from a utility offset (such as an underground line, pipe or cable): 6 feet
• from a utility overhead (such as an overhead power line): 30 feet
• from a swimming pool: 15 feet
• from a septic system: 15 feet
• between trees*: 25 feet

* To calculate the planting distance between different size trees, add the distances between each species in the column and divide answer in half. Example: the distance between a Red Maple (large tree) and Amur Maple (small tree) is calculated: 25 feet + 15 feet = 40 feet ÷ 2 = 20 feet. The distance between these two different size trees should be 20 feet.