Issued January 19, 1907. 



United States Department of Agriculture, 



FOREST SERVICE Circular 58. 



GIFFORD PINCHOT, Forester. 



FOREST PLANTING LEAFLET. 



RED 0K (Quereus rubra). 



FORM AND SIZE. 



The red oak is one of the largest trees in the forests of the Northern 

 States. The average height of mature trees is from 70 to 90 feet, 

 and the diameter from 2 to 4 feet. Under the most favorable condi- 

 tions a height of 150 feet and a diameter of 5 feet is attained. When 

 grown free the tree has a broad and symmetrical crown and a short 

 stem ; in the forest it is tall and straight, with a small, narrow crown. 

 On loose soil the base is often enlarged or buttressed. 



RANGE. 



The natural range of the red oak is from Nova Scotia to west of 

 Lake Superior and south to eastern Kansas and northern Georgia. 

 It is very common and well developed in the Northern and Central 

 States, where it usually is associated with other oaks, basswood, elms, 

 chestnut, and hickories. Toward the extreme limits of its range it 

 becomes rare and of small size. 



Red oak is recommended for planting anywhere within the limits 

 of its natural range, on soils of medium quality, and on those which 

 have become exhausted by cultivation. 



SILVICAL QUALITIES. 



Red oak is best suited to porous sandy or gravelly clay soils. In 

 this requirement it is intermediate between the white oaks and several 

 of the black oak group. It requires well-drained soil always, but does 

 not do well where the air is very dry. 



The tree is intolerant of shade, except when very young, and must 

 always be allowed to keep its crown free. 



Red oak surpasses all other oaks in the rapidity of its growth, and 

 is therefore a good tree to plant where conditions are suitable. 



Like the other oaks, this species is not subject to disease, nor to 

 serious insect attacks, and is rarely overthrown by wind. 

 16763 No. 5807 M 



