Photo of Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

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Inclusion in Plant ID / Comparison Guides

This photo is featured in 4 plant ID/comparison guides:

collage of Northern Red Oak and Black Oak

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) vs. Black Oak (Quercus velutina)

Updated October 13th, 2024

Although these species sometimes look blatantly different, significant variation in individual leaf shape and other characteristics can make them challenging to tell apart. Both trees have broad habitat preferences, with considerable overlap. Black oak ranges farther south and prefers slightly warmer, drier sites, and is more tolerant of nutrient-poor sites, whereas northern red oak ranges farther north, prefers slightly cooler, moister sites, and is more shade-tolerant. The two species can also hybridize and form intergrades, so it may not be possible to identify all individuals.

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Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) vs. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)

Updated July 30th, 2020

These trees are sometimes confused, mainly because they are both common in landscaping and both have pointy-lobed leaves, but they are easily distinguished by leaves, acorns, and growth habit. In the wild, pin oak is found on wetter, sunnier sites and northern red oak on drier, more shaded sites, with relatively little overlap in habitat.

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collage of Northern Red Oak and Scarlet Oak

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) vs. Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)

Updated November 6th, 2019

These species of the red oak group are sometimes confused, but are usually easy to tell apart. They overlap more in habitat than some red oaks, but northern red oak prefers richer sites and is more shade-tolerant, whereas scarlet oak can be found on drier sites with thin or poor soils.

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The other guide is not yet completed and published.