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Taxon
Quercus
coccinea
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Common name:
Scarlet Oak
Family:
Fagaceae (Beech)
Distribution:
NC and E USA
Habitat:
dry upland forest, ridges and slopes in hilly to mountainous terrain
Hardiness:
-30 - 30 F
Life form:
Deciduous tree
Fall color:
Red; developes very late
Foliage characteristics:
Simple, alternate, 7 lobed leaves with C-shaped sinuses between lobes. 3-6" long.
Fruit characteristics:
Acorns grow singularly or in pairs with half the acorn covered by its cap. .5-1" long.
Bloom Time:
April to May
Bark characteristics:
Dark gray with furrows and ridges.
Average height:
50-75'
Structure:
Young: pyramidal Mature: rounded
Bloom characteristics:
Male flowers grow in drooping catkins. Female flowers are solitary or clustered.
Description:
Scarlet oak is one of the fastest growing oaks, but also has one of the shortest lifespans. It is the mayfly of oaks. It is planted widely in the US and Europe as a shade tree, and for its beautiful scarlet color in the fall.
This oak is listed as Endangered in Maine.
Links:
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
•
University of Connecticut Plant Database
•
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Locations
1:
Cultural Resource Center
(CRC)
• Accession: 2011-2747*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
2:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
(NMAAHC)
• Accession: 2017-0387*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
3:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
(NMAAHC)
• Accession: 2017-0388*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
4:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
(NMAAHC)
• Accession: 2018-0806*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
5:
National Museum of American History
(NMAH)
• Accession: 2011-0708*A
6:
National Museum of American History
(NMAH)
• Accession: 2011-0725*A
7:
National Museum of American History
(NMAH)
• Accession: 2011-0744*A
Area
Individual