Southern Red Oak
Quercus falcata
- Native to:
- United States, Virgin Islands
Altairisfar
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus falcata
- USDA Symbol:
- QUFA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
almond bud moth (Acrobasis minimella), Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), consular oakworm moth (Anisota consularis), Eriocraniella mediabulla, Pink-striped oakworm moth (Anisota virginiensis), Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), spotted oakworm moth (Anisota stigma), Yellowstriped oakworm moth (Anisota peigleri), Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Fixsenia favonius
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- red, orange
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick bark provides some fire resistance; can resprout after low to moderate intensity fires.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy loam or clay
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in upland areas with acidic soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy; germination occurs in spring.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 32-60 days or in damp sphagnum peat moss for three or four months in a refrigerator at 36-40°F. Do not let acorns dry.
Establishment: Q. falcata is found within temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America, from Coastal New Jersey, south to Florida, west to eastern Texas, northward in Mississippi Valley to southern Indiana. No germination rate or time range provided in the protocols.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)