Quercus coccinea

A commanding native of the eastern United States, Scarlet Oak inhabits dry upland forests, ridges, and sandy slopes from southern Maine to northern Florida, and westward through the Ohio Valley into parts of Missouri and eastern Texas. It is especially characteristic of well-drained, acidic soils in mixed oak–hickory forests, where it thrives in sunlit clearings and along woodland edges. Unlike bottomland oaks that favor heavy soils, Quercus coccinea evolved for elevation and drainage—gravelly ridges, sandy uplands, and thin soils where resilience is required. This ecological preference makes it particularly well adapted to cultivated landscapes with similar conditions. Foliage & Seasonal Drama Leaves are deeply and cleanly cut, with 7–9 sharply pointed, bristle-tipped lobes separated by wide, rounded sinuses that cut nearly to the midrib. The surface is glossy, dark green in summer—sleek and reflective in strong light. Autumn is where Scarlet Oak earns its name. In ideal conditions—full sun and acidic soils—the canopy ignites into vivid scarlet to crimson-red, often clearer and brighter than many other red oaks. The color can persist impressively before leaf drop, creating a luminous canopy visible at great distance. Acorns & Wildlife Value Scarlet Oak produces rounded, egg-shaped acorns about ½–1 inch long, enclosed one-third to one-half by a deep, bowl-shaped cap with tight scales. As a member of the red oak group, acorns mature in two growing seasons. Ecologically, this tree is invaluable: Host plant for numerous native Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), including hairstreaks and underwing moths Acorn source for deer, wild turkey, squirrels, chipmunks, and many upland bird species Cavity potential in maturity for owls and woodpeckers Supports hundreds of insect species, forming a keystone component of eastern forest food webs Oaks are widely recognized as among the most ecologically productive genera in North America, and Quercus coccinea is no exception—particularly in dry upland systems where fewer large canopy trees dominate.