What soil does Red oak grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, acidic.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Red oak be planted?

Plant it at least 15 m from buildings. Keep it at least 4 m from paving.

When does Red oak flower?

Flowering: April–May, green, yellow.

How much water does Red oak need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Red oak cost?

It sells for roughly PLN 6 to PLN 33 in local shops, depending on size.

Red oak

Quercus rubra

Red oak (Quercus rubra) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about PLN 6.

Illustration of Red oak — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A fast-growing oak with a large, spreading crown and big, pointed-lobed leaves that turn orange-red, red or reddish brown in autumn. It is a shade-giving specimen for large gardens and parks and copes well with city air and wind. It wants acidic to neutral, well-drained soil: on lime the leaves turn yellow, and keep the acorns away from dogs.

Watch out for

On calcareous, alkaline soil it develops iron chlorosis (leaves yellow while the veins stay green) and declines, so it does not suit lime-rich gardens in Central Europe. It is a North American species that spreads by seed in Central European forests and smothers the ground flora with its slowly decaying leaf litter: Germany officially classifies it as invasive and it is on the Czech black list, so do not plant it next to woodland or semi-natural areas. The thick, slow-rotting leaf litter and the many acorns mean work in the garden too, and it does not like being under solid paving. Caterpillars (gypsy moth, for example) sometimes strip the leaves.

Considered invasive in a neighbouring country

It isn't listed here, but don't plant it near natural habitats, woodland or water, and don't leave the clippings outside the garden.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 7 m × 4 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, green, yellow

All details

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	7 m × 4 m
Ultimate size	15–30 m × 15–25 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, green, yellow
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 15 m
Distance from paving	at least 4 m
Litter	Leaves, Fruit
Planting distance	1200 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about PLN 6

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
30-50 cm	approx. PLN 30
50-80 cm	approx. PLN 6
80-120 cm	approx. PLN 8
120-150 cm	approx. PLN 18
150-180 cm	approx. PLN 20
size not stated	approx. PLN 33

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants that give shade Plants with autumn colour Large trees with autumn colour

Compare with similar plants

Red oak vs English oak Red oak vs Pin oak

Looks good next to it

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Swedish cotoneaster

Cotoneaster × suecicus

Foxglove beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis