Oak - Red (Quercus rubra)

Our range of Red Oak (Quercus rubra) bare root trees

We have Red oak bare root trees in several specifications. The 1+0 specification plants are seedlings (often called whips) which were sown from acorns in spring and are sold during the following November to April months when dormant ie they are one year old. It is unusual for Oak to grow to a saleable plant in one year - generally we only have a few of these. The more normal specification for young oak saplings is a 1U1.

The 1U1 specification plants are seedlings which were planted from acorns in the spring and instead of being sold in the following November to April period they are kept in situ in our fields and grown on for a further year or longer which makes a strong bushy plant. The roots are undercut by a specialised machine to help develop a fibrous root system.

We are delighted to be able to offer Select Stand seed provenance in this species (the best where plants are being grown for timber production) as well as standard UK provenance and some of the highest quality imported seed so if the seed provenance is particularly important to you, please give us a call so that we can allocate plants from the best batch for your needs.

You can read more about the various specifications we offer in each species on the tab just below our pricing table to the right of this product description.

Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Summary

A less usual variety of oak tree with stunning autumnal red foliage, Red Oaks grow to about 30m and have a narrower canopy than English Oak and Sessile Oak.  As well as being easily identified from it's autunmal colour, the other differentiator between Red oak trees and other oaks, is the shiny striped ridges that go all the way down the trunk (unlike other oaks which can have shiny ridges but only high up the tree trunk).

Red oak trees are commonly found in the USA. Their timber is good quality and used for furniture and other indoor purposes and as firewood.

Soil and Situation

Red oak trees are suitable for most locations with a preference for full sun (and that will give the best autumn colour) in moist but well drained soil, even on the edge of streams.

Leaves, flowers and fruit

A typical shape of oak leaf, opening yellow in spring and then maturing to matt green before turning dark red in autumn and with the best autumnal colour where the tree is in full sun.

The acorns take two years to ripen.

Eventual height and growth rate

A mature red oak tree can grow to about 30m in height and is relatively fast growing compared with other oak trees.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)