Scarlet Oak: State Tree of District of Columbia

The State tree of District of Columbia is the Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea). This tree is also known as Spanish oak and black oak. The scarlet oak is found throughout much of the Eastern United States, especially in the Piedmont and Appalachian Mountains.

A mature tree can reach a height of 60-80 feet with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet. Older trees are known to exceed 100 feet. The scarlet oak is classified as a fast growing tree, but it has a relatively shorter life span. Maine lists the scarlet oak as an endangered plant species.

In the wild, the tree prefers valleys and elevations up to 2,500 feet above sea level. It grows best in sandy or gravel-rich soils but can accommodate a variety of soil conditions. The scarlet oak can easily tolerate poor soil and low moisture conditions, but the tree prefers moist well-drained soils that are acidic. This is a tree that needs full sun. If it is growing where there is competition for the available sunlight, the scarlet oak will suffer.

The scarlet oak is monoecious, having both male and female catkins. Acorns are produced every other year (biennially) and begin forming when the tree reaches 20 years of age.

The scarlet oak is used for milled lumber, but this wood is not as prized as other oak species. The value of this oak is the autumn display of rich, deep scarlet red leaves. The scarlet oak is widely planted in landscapes as a specimen tree and as a shade tree. It is also popular as a street tree.

The scarlet oak is native to the United States. Its overall shape is a pyramid.

The scarlet oak is planted in managed forests and reforestation projects. It requires open ground and is not successful in competing for nutrients with thick ground cover. Thinning is recommended for productive growth.

In the wild, this oak tree provides a food source for squirrels, chipmunks, mice, wild turkeys, deer, blue jays and woodpeckers. The deer will eat new shoots when other food supplies are low.

The scarlet oak has predators. Insect that attack this tree include gypsy moth, oak leaftier, cankerworm, tent caterpillar, walkingstick, chestnut borer, oak borer, oak timberworm, and Ambrosia beetles. The tree can also fall victim to oak-apple gall, oak wilt, cankers, and root rot.

The scarlet oak can be propagated from seed. The seed germinates readily and grows well if there is little competition for sunlight and nutrients. There is a long taproot, so containers must be deep enough to accommodate them. This tree requires cold winter temperatures.

Sources

Quercus coccinea, USDA Forest Service, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/quecoc/all.html
Quercus coccinea, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUCO2
Quercus coccinea, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUCO2
Quercus coccinea, Robert W Freckmann Herbarium, University of Wisconsin, http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=QUECOC