The Southern Red Oak

The Southern Red Oak(Quercus falcata), Also known as the Spanish oak, the Southern Red Oak is a member of the Fagaceae family. Its natural range spans the eastern United States, from Virginia to Florida, with Texas marking its westernmost boundary.

Its scientific name, falcata, refers to the curved, sickle-like shape of its leaf lobes,« falcata » derived from the Latin word for “sickle”

The Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)
Also known as the Spanish oak, the Southern Red Oak is a member of the Fagaceae family. Its natural range spans the eastern United States, from Virginia to Florida, with Texas marking its westernmost boundary.

Its scientific name, falcata, refers to the curved, sickle-like shape of its leaf lobes, derived from the Latin word for “sickle.”

Uses of the Southern Red Oak

The Southern Red Oak produces coarse-grained, robust, and durable wood. It is commonly used for flooring, furniture, and construction materials.
Native Americans utilized its wood for medicinal purposes, treating conditions such as indigestion, dysentery, chapped skin, and asthma. It was also employed as an antiseptic and, in some cases, as an emetic.

Characteristics of the Southern Red Oak

The Southern Red Oak thrives in sandy, loamy, or clay soils at altitudes up to 800 meters.

A deciduous tree, it can reach heights of up to 40 meters, though most specimens measure between 25 and 30 meters tall, Leaves: 10–30 cm long and 6–16 cm wide, Acorns: 0.9–1.6 cm long, housed in flat cup-shaped caps that cover one-third to one-half of the nut.

Visual © D.R.