Southern Red Oak
Quercus falcata
- Native to:
- United States
François André Michaux (book author), Henri-Joseph Redouté (illustrator), Gabriel (engraver)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus falcata
- USDA Symbol:
- QUFA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2700 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- 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, squirrels, deer, wild turkey
- Fall Color:
- red, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick bark provides fire resistance in mature trees; resprouts vigorously from root crown after top-kill. Historically maintained by periodic fire in southeastern forests.
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:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Acorns germinate readily after cold stratification; plant immediately after collection in fall for best results.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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