Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) – #7 Container

Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)

If fall color is what you're after, few trees can rival the Scarlet Oak. Come autumn, its deeply lobed, glossy leaves ignite into a breathtaking blaze of brilliant scarlet-red — one of the most vivid and long-lasting fall displays of any native tree. With its open, airy canopy and strong architectural form, the Scarlet Oak is a stunning specimen that earns its place in the landscape year-round, and becomes a true landmark as it matures.

Plant Details

• Scientific Name: Quercus coccinea
• Common Name: Scarlet Oak
• Mature Height: 60–75 ft with an open, rounded to irregular canopy
• Available Size: 6–7 ft tall at time of purchase
• Container Size: #7 (7-gallon pot)
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast — typically 1.5–3 ft per year
• Hardiness Zones: 4–9

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun; requires at least 6 hours of direct light for best growth and fall color
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, acidic, sandy or loamy soils; does not tolerate wet or compacted conditions
• Water: Low to moderate once established; drought-tolerant
• Maintenance: Low — a naturally self-sufficient tree; prune in late winter while dormant

Landscape Uses

An outstanding specimen and shade tree for large residential lots, parks, and open landscapes. Its deeply cut, glossy foliage provides attractive summer texture, and its fall color is among the most spectacular of any native oak. Like all oaks, it supports a rich diversity of native wildlife — its acorns are a vital food source for deer, wild turkey, blue jays, and woodpeckers, and its canopy hosts hundreds of species of native caterpillars. A legacy tree that rewards patience with decades of beauty.

Plant arrives in a 7-gallon container at 6–7 ft in height, ready to transplant into your landscape.