Red oak usually prefers moist, well-drained soils, and the largest trees are often found on mountain slopes and plateaus. There is little to no threat to its population, as red oak trees can grow up to 24 inches in one year.[2]
Northern red oak trees can reach heights up to 150 feet with a diameter of 6 to 8 feet, but a typical red oak tree grows about 75 feet tall with the trunk splitting into large branches that can spread over 45 feet wide.[2]
Red oak trees prefer moist, deep soils that are slightly acidic. They can be adaptable to dry soil, undrained soils, transplanting, or slightly alkaline soils, but full direct sun is ideal for red oak, especially when in youth stages of growth.[5]
The outline of the tree is round, and provides dense shade. When in bloom from April to May, pale yellow catkins grow on the end of the branches. Red oak leaves are very distinct because they have 7 to 11 waxy, pointed lobes.[5] They also produce and drop acorns for wildlife and reproduction.
In the fall, the leaves will turn to beautiful shades of yellow, golden, orange, and bright red. The bark varies from light gray to darker gray depending on the age of the tree.[5]