Southern Red Oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus falcata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Southern Red Oak is a large deciduous shade tree common on dry ridges and upland forests across the southeastern and eastern United States, blooming from March to May.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Southern Red Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

840"–960" H × 480"–600" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 19 more states

Pollinators

butterflies

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Southern Red Oak is a large native shade tree that can reach 70-80 feet tall with a broad, rounded canopy. This long-lived deciduous oak produces inconspicuous flowers in spring and develops distinctive lobed leaves that turn brilliant red to orange in fall.

Growing Southern Red Oak

Grow Southern Red Oak in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 840 to 960 inches tall and spread 480 to 600 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Southern Red Oak takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range

Wildlife value

Supports over 500 species of butterflies and moths as caterpillar host plant, making it one of the most valuable native trees for wildlife. Acorns provide food for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife.

Common questions

How much light does Southern Red Oak need?: Southern Red Oak grows best in full sun but tolerates part sun, especially as a young tree in forest understories before it reaches the canopy.
How much water does Southern Red Oak require?: Once established, Southern Red Oak handles low soil moisture well and is often found on dry, sandy or rocky ridges where other oaks struggle to grow.
When does Southern Red Oak bloom?: Southern Red Oak flowers from March through May, with small catkins appearing as new leaves begin to emerge.
What pollinators or wildlife use Southern Red Oak?: Southern Red Oak serves as a larval host plant for a number of butterfly species, adding to its value in wildlife gardens and restoration plantings.
What kind of tree is Southern Red Oak?: Southern Red Oak is a large deciduous shade tree with a broad, rounded canopy, commonly used as a street or landscape tree in warmer climates.
Is Southern Red Oak toxic to dogs?: Southern Red Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Southern Red Oak toxic to cats?: Southern Red Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Southern Red Oak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Southern Red Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Southern Red Oak HOA-friendly?: Southern Red Oak takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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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Common questions

How much light does Southern Red Oak need?

Southern Red Oak grows best in full sun but tolerates part sun, especially as a young tree in forest understories before it reaches the canopy.

How much water does Southern Red Oak require?

Once established, Southern Red Oak handles low soil moisture well and is often found on dry, sandy or rocky ridges where other oaks struggle to grow.

When does Southern Red Oak bloom?

Southern Red Oak flowers from March through May, with small catkins appearing as new leaves begin to emerge.

What pollinators or wildlife use Southern Red Oak?

Southern Red Oak serves as a larval host plant for a number of butterfly species, adding to its value in wildlife gardens and restoration plantings.

What kind of tree is Southern Red Oak?

Southern Red Oak is a large deciduous shade tree with a broad, rounded canopy, commonly used as a street or landscape tree in warmer climates.

Is Southern Red Oak toxic to dogs?

Southern Red Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).

Is Southern Red Oak toxic to cats?

Southern Red Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).

Is Southern Red Oak toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Southern Red Oak as toxic to livestock.

Is Southern Red Oak HOA-friendly?

Southern Red Oak takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides