{"product_id":"northern-red-oak","title":"Northern Red Oak","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Fast-Growing Native Oak With Brilliant Red Fall Color\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Red Oak (\u003cem\u003eQuercus rubra\u003c\/em\u003e) is the cornerstone of Minnesota's native hardwood forests and one of the fastest-growing oaks you can plant — a rare combination of oak majesty and reasonable speed. It forms a broad, rounded crown of dark glossy leaves that ignite into bold russet-to-dark-red fall color, and it produces acorns that feed an enormous range of wildlife. Strong, long-lived, and hardy to zone 3, it's a true legacy shade tree that won't make you wait a lifetime for results. Whether you're planting a majestic shade tree in Edina, a fast native oak in Woodbury, or a wildlife cornerstone in Maple Grove, Northern Red Oak delivers grandeur, color, and ecological value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNorthern Red Oak Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eQuercus rubra\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorthern Red Oak, Red Oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60–75 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–50 feet — broad, rounded crown\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to fast — one of the quicker oaks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) for best form and fall color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Drought-tolerant once established; appreciates consistent moisture while young.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — very hardy across the metro\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable. Prefers well-drained loam; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and slightly acidic soils.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — dark glossy lobed leaves turning russet-red to dark red in fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcorns\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduces acorns with age — food for deer, turkeys, squirrels, and jays\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — deer browse young trees and acorns; protect when small\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinnesota native — a cornerstone of the state's hardwood forests\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNorthern Red Oak Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Majestic Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Red Oak gives you the stature and longevity of an oak without the agonizing wait — it's one of the fastest-growing oaks, building a broad, shade-casting crown relatively quickly. It's a superb large shade tree for an open lawn in Edina or Plymouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrilliant Fall Color\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew large shade trees match its autumn show — the glossy summer canopy turns deep russet-red to dark red, a standout in the Minnesota fall landscape and a reliable color performer year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative Wildlife Cornerstone\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a keystone native, Red Oak supports hundreds of native insect species that feed nesting birds, and its acorns are vital food for deer, turkeys, squirrels, and jays. It's a foundational tree for a wildlife-friendly landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Northern Red Oak in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOaks are deciduous, so you have two good planting windows in the Twin Cities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May)\u003c\/strong\u003e, once the ground has thawed, is ideal — oaks establish best with a full season ahead, and spring planting gives the strongest root establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e also works. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid mid-summer planting, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Northern Red Oak\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — the hole should be 2–3 times the root ball width but only as deep as the ball itself. In heavy clay, dig even wider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage — if water pools in the hole, break through clay hardpan or mound-plant slightly to keep roots out of standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't create a pure-compost \"container\" in clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the tree so the top of the root ball sits at or just above grade, and handle the roots gently — oaks resent root disturbance. Allow room for the broad mature crown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches from the trunk, and wrap the young trunk the first winter or two.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Northern Red Oak in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water every 1–2 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3 through fall: every 5–7 days during active growth, less when rainfall is adequate. Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes in late October so the tree can harden off for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished Northern Red Oak is quite drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water mainly during extended dry spells (2+ weeks with no rain). Water deeply to 6–8 inches every 7–14 days during drought, and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Northern Red Oak survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — it's native across the state and hardy to about -40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to fast — one of the quicker oaks, so it builds shade and stature noticeably faster than slow oaks like Bur or White Oak while still living for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — \u003cem\u003eQuercus rubra\u003c\/em\u003e is a cornerstone native of Minnesota's hardwood forests, with tremendous wildlife value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the fall color like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Bold and reliable — russet-red to deep red, one of the best large-tree fall displays in the Minnesota landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBur Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e — the iconic, bombproof native prairie oak for large landscapes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhite Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e — a majestic, long-lived native oak with fine fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorthern Pin Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native oak with brilliant red fall color for drier, sandy sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed Sunset Red Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fast shade tree with outstanding red fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Northern Red Oak Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne is a legacy — give a single tree 40–50 feet of clearance from buildings and other large trees so the broad, rounded crown can develop its full form. On acreage, plant a native grove of 2–3 oaks at 35–45-foot spacing (mix in Bur Oak and White Oak for a true hardwood-forest palette); the cluster matures into a woodland canopy that multiplies wildlife value. Too large to plant in rows on a standard city lot — one well-placed tree is the move.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNorthern Red Oak Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e New leaves unfold pinkish-red alongside dangling catkins — an underrated spring show — then harden to dark glossy green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A broad, dense crown casts deep, cooling shade while supporting hundreds of native insect species that feed nesting songbirds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The canopy turns russet-red to deep red — one of Minnesota's best large-tree fall displays — with acorns dropping for deer, turkeys, and jays in mast years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Massive, strong-angled branches and furrowed bark make a commanding silhouette; young trees often hold coppery leaves deep into winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bur-oak\"\u003eBur Oak\u003c\/a\u003e — the prairie-savanna anchor; the two natives make the classic Minnesota oak pairing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-oak\"\u003eWhite Oak\u003c\/a\u003e — the slower, centuries-long aristocrat to plant alongside for a generational grove.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-pin-oak\"\u003eNorthern Pin Oak\u003c\/a\u003e — the scarlet-fall native for the dry, sandy corner of the same property.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sunset-red-maple\"\u003eRed Sunset Red Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — a faster red-fall companion that colors earlier, stretching the autumn show.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Northern Red Oak Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRight for a full-sun lawn with room for a 60–75-foot tree and well-drained to clay-loam soil — it's the fastest path to genuine oak stature and a wildlife cornerstone that outlives its planter. Protect the young trunk from deer the first couple of winters. Not a fit for small lots, soggy ground, or right beside pavement you keep pristine — acorns and fall leaves are part of the deal, and oak wilt caution means no pruning April through July in Minnesota.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260810252593,"sku":"GT-T3589","price":411.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260810285361,"sku":"GT-T3590","price":439.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260810318129,"sku":"GT-T3591","price":507.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3\"BB","offer_id":54260810350897,"sku":"GT-T3592","price":548.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3.5\"BB","offer_id":54260810383665,"sku":"GT-T3593","price":589.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/northern-red-oak.jpg?v=1779426700","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/northern-red-oak","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}