Quercus rubra L.

A deciduous tree from 60 to 80 ft high, with a trunk 3 to 6 ft in diameter; young shoots warted, not downy; winter-buds brown, about 1⁄4 in. long, almost glabrous. Leaves oval or obovate, usually tapered, sometimes rounded at the base, with three to five lobes at each side, the lobes obliquely triangular or ovate, pointed, and with a few unequal teeth; the blade is 4 to 9 in. long, 4 to 6 in. broad, dark green and glabrous above, pale dull green or greyish beneath, usually with tufts of brownish hairs in the vein-axils; stalks yellowish, glabrous, 1 to 2 in. long. Acorns 3⁄4 to 11⁄4 in. long, nearly as wide, flat at the bottom, which is set in a shallow, almost saucer-shaped cup covered with closely appressed, short broad scales; they take two seasons to mature. Some trees (especially in the northern part of the area) bear fruits with narrower, more ovoid acorns and deeper cups.

Native of eastern N. America; introduced early in the 18th century. The red oak is undoubtedly the best grower among the American species introduced to Britain. In a young state it grows vigorously, and its fine, boldly cut foliage makes it one of the handsomest of deciduous trees. It frequently ripens acorns at Kew, from which young trees are raised. Its leaves change in autumn to a dull reddish or yellowish brown. The red oak is much confused with Q. coccinea and Q, palustris, but it has larger leaves than either, usually not so deeply lobed, dull beneath, and not so bright above.

The following are the most notable of the red oaks recorded in Britain in recent years. For comparison, it should be noted that the largest girth so far measured in the United States is 223⁄4 ft at 3 ft. Kew, Specimen Avenue, 70 × 103⁄4 ft (1963); N.E. of Pagoda, 65 × 103⁄4 ft (1963); near Japanese Gateway, 80 × 103⁄4 ft (1965); Oak collection, pl. 1874, 47 × 10 ft (1972); Cassiobury Park, Herts, 90 × 141⁄2 ft (1904), 100 × 193⁄4 ft (1965); Sindlesham, Berks, in Bear Wood, 80 × 163⁄4 ft (1970); Fairlawne, Kent, 72 × 143⁄4 ft (1965); Leonardslee, Sussex, 80 × 111⁄4 ft (1968); West Dean Arboretum, Sussex, 95 × 14 ft (1970) and 110 × 111⁄4 ft (1967); Pains Hill, Cobham, Surrey, 80 × 18 ft (1961); Westonbirt, Glos., in Main Drive, 90 × 11 ft (1967); Melbury Park, Dorset, 80 × 151⁄4 ft (1971) and 88 × 16 ft at 4 ft (1971); Patshull House, Staffs, 66 × 121⁄4 ft (1970); Killerton, Devon, 82 × 14 ft (1970); Gordon Castle, Moray, 85 × 11 ft (1956); Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries, 85 × 131⁄4 ft (1970).

From the Supplement (Vol. V)

specimens: Kew, Pagoda Vista, 80 × 121⁄2 ft (1973) and 80 × 121⁄4 ft (1979), north-east of Pagoda, 82 × 131⁄4 ft (1979), near Japanese Gateway, 89 × 113⁄4 ft (1976) and in Oak Collection, pl. 1874, 47 × 10 ft (1972); Bagshot Park, Surrey, 70 × 16 ft (1982); Osterley Park, London, 98 × 113⁄4 (1982); Cassiobury Park, Herts., this tree has been felled; Sindlesham, Berks., in Bear Wood, 80 × 163⁄4 ft (1970); West Dean Arboretum, Sussex, 111 × 12 ft (1980) and another 98 × 14 ft (1973); Cowdray Park, Sussex, Bank, 108 × 14 ft and, behind House, 111 × 141⁄4 ft (1984); Bowood, Wilts., Pinetum, 102 × 121⁄4 ft (1984); Westonbirt, Glos., Main Drive, 98 × 113⁄4 ft (1977); Melbury, Dorset, 96 × 17 ft at 4 ft (1980); Killerton, Devon, 88 × 143⁄4 ft (1980); Patshull, Staffs., 66 × 121⁄4 ft (1970); The Gliffaes Hotel, Powys, 65 × 153⁄4 ft (1984); Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfr., 85 × 131⁄4 ft (1970).

cv. ‘Aurea’ – specimens: Kew, 37 × 4 ft (1981); Lingholm, Cumb., 44 × 51⁄2 ft (1983); Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, Eire, 44 × 6 ft (1975).