Scarlet Oak
Quercus coccinea
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus coccinea
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), elm spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria), fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Girlfriend Underwing (Catocala amica), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Hethemia pistasciaria, Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Io moth (Automeris io), oak leafroller (Acleris semipurpurana), Orange-tipped oakworm moth (Anisota senatoria), Perimede erransella, Phyllonorycter basistrigella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), Scalloped sack-bearer (Lacosoma chiridota), Scarlet Underwing (Catocala coccinata), southern tussock moth (Dasychira meridionalis), Stigmella latifasciella, Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), White-blotched Heterocampa (Heterocampa umbrata), White-headed Symmerista (Symmerista albifrons), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), white-marked tussock moth (Dasychira leucophaea), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Edwards' hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers upland areas with dry, sandy soils.
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for optimal germination.
Source: OpenAI GPT-4o