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Scarlet oak

Quercus coccinea

Last reviewed: October 2026

Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) is a perennial tree native to AL, AR, CT, DC and 24 more states. It blooms in April and May.

Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea)
Photo: (c) Daniel McClosky, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

480"–900" H × 420"–540" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DC and 24 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark HighlandsPiedmontSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyEastern Temperate ForestsCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Large deciduous tree with a rounded to pyramidal crown and deeply lobed, bristle-tipped leaves that turn brilliant scarlet in fall. Grows on dry, sandy, or rocky upland soils and tolerates poor, acidic ground.

Growing Scarlet oak

Grow Scarlet oak in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 480 to 900 inches tall and spread 420 to 540 inches wide.

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Wildlife value

Host plant for banded hairstreak, polyphemus moth.

Oaks support more caterpillar species than almost any other native tree genus, feeding songbirds and hosting moths and butterflies such as banded hairstreak and polyphemus moth; acorns are a major food source for jays, squirrels, and deer.

Common questions

How much sun does Scarlet oak need?
Scarlet oak grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Scarlet oak bloom?
Scarlet oak blooms in April and May.
Where is Scarlet oak native?
Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) is native to AL, AR, CT, DC and 24 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Scarlet oak host?
Scarlet oak is a larval host plant for banded hairstreak and polyphemus moth.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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