Scarlet Oak

Brilliant Fall Color
Native Shade Tree
Wildlife Friendly Acorns

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#25 Container

$323.00

5 in stock

Size

Clear

Add installation for only _ per item!

$323.00

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We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
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Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
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Scarlet Oak

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizer
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Scarlet Oak

Scarlet Oak is a large native deciduous shade tree celebrated for glossy, deeply lobed green leaves and outstanding scarlet-red fall color. Its broad canopy, strong landscape presence, and wildlife-friendly acorns make it a beautiful choice for spacious lawns, naturalized areas, and park-like plantings.

Why choose Scarlet Oak?

Choose Scarlet Oak for a bold, long-lived shade tree with some of the most reliable red autumn color among native oaks. Its upright to rounded canopy provides cooling shade, while the sharply lobed foliage creates a refined, textured look through spring and summer. As it matures, it contributes valuable acorns for wildlife and brings a strong native character to larger properties. Scarlet Oak is especially well suited to open sites where it has room to develop a full canopy and deep root system.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Quercus coccinea
Common Name: Scarlet Oak
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Growth Habit: Large, upright to rounded shade tree with a broad canopy

Scarlet Oak Additional Information

Scarlet Oak produces small, inconspicuous spring flowers, with male catkins and female flowers appearing as new growth begins. The foliage is glossy green through the growing season, with pointed, bristle-tipped lobes that give the leaves a crisp, distinctive outline. In fall, the leaves often turn brilliant scarlet to deep red, creating a standout seasonal display before dropping for winter.

This native oak is valued for shade, structure, and habitat. Mature trees develop gray-brown bark with ridges and a strong winter silhouette. Acorns develop in deep, bowl-like caps and provide food for birds and small mammals. Scarlet Oak is best used as a specimen tree, large lawn tree, street tree where space allows, woodland-edge planting, or naturalized shade tree. Young trees benefit from careful structural pruning, especially to encourage a strong central leader and balanced branching.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Scarlet Oak in full sun with plenty of space for its mature canopy and root system. Choose a well-drained site, ideally with acidic to slightly acidic soil. Set the root flare at soil level and water deeply after planting.

2. Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, especially through dry stretches. Once established, Scarlet Oak handles average moisture well and is a good fit for well-drained upland sites.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone to conserve soil moisture and reduce turf competition. Keep mulch pulled back from the trunk to protect the bark.

4. Pruning: Prune young trees in late winter or early spring to develop strong structure. Remove damaged, crossing, or poorly angled branches, and avoid heavy pruning once the tree has matured.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does Scarlet Oak get?
Scarlet Oak commonly matures into a large shade tree, often reaching about 50–80 feet tall with a broad canopy when grown in suitable open conditions.
Is Scarlet Oak a good shade tree?
Yes. Scarlet Oak develops a substantial canopy that provides excellent shade for large lawns, naturalized areas, and spacious residential or commercial landscapes.
What is Scarlet Oak known for?
Scarlet Oak is best known for its glossy lobed foliage and vivid scarlet-red fall color, along with its value as a native oak that supports wildlife with acorns.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Tall Growth
Full Sun
Easy Plant

Mature Height	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Fast, Moderate
Botanical Name	Quercus coccinea
Bloom Time	Mid spring
Deer Resistant	No
Family	Fagaceae
Flower Color	Non Flowering
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#25 Container

Map of the United States with most states shaded green and boundary lines visible.

Growing Zones 4-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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Mature Height	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Large: Up to 30 ft or more	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Small: Up to 15 ft	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	10-20 ft	10-20 ft	10-20 ft	10-20 ft	20+ ft	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Moderate	Fast	Moderate	Moderate, Slow	Moderate, Slow	Moderate, Slow
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Deer Resistant	No	Usually	No	No	Usually	Usually
Flower Color	White	Non Flowering	White	White	Yellow/Orange	White
Family	Rosaceae	Betulaceae	Malus	Rosaceae	Fagaceae	Fabaceae
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7	3, 4, 5, 6, 7	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low	High	Low	Low	Medium	Medium