Crop Matrix Tool

Use this tool to find out about characteristics; such as soil pH, cultivation methods, pests and post harvest treatment; for a specific crop. To load a crop's characteristics choose a crop from the drop-down menu. To see a list of all possible crops grouped by category click on the “Show List of All Available Crops” link next to the drop-down menu.

Northern Red oak Download Data (CSV Format)     Printable View      Hide Citations General Common Name Northern Red oak Latin Name Quercus rubra L. Category Nuts  Family Oak  Variety   Visual Traits Flower yellow-green, monoecious, April-May, at or following leaf emergence No Citation Available Foliage/Fall leaf color golden yellow brown No Citation Available Fruit / Nut acorn occurs singly or clusters of 2-5; ripen Augst to mid-October, turn brown upon ripening; may take 2y to mature No Citation Available Height 60-75ft (100) No Citation Available Other valued traits lumber No Citation Available Spread 60ft No Citation Available Cultivation Propagation method Seed, low root sprouts No Citation Available Pruning resprouts readily after disturbance No Citation Available Seed treatment and storage cold stratification for 30-45days @ 41?F No Citation Available Seedling treatment require 30% canopy light penetration to persist No Citation Available Sowing seed germinate in spring following seed fall; best if seed makes contact with mineral soil and covered by leaf litter No Citation Available Transplant transplants readily, ball and burlap spring No Citation Available Watering guidelines moisture generally adequate at time of germination No Citation Available Critters Insect and invertebrate pests gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), many insect pests No Citation Available Pathogens oak decline, oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum), many other pathogens that are not threatening No Citation Available Soils Compaction (tolerance) intolerant No Citation Available Fertility / quality Low No Citation Available Moisture and drainage moist, well-drained, moderately drought tolerant No Citation Available pH 4.3-6.5 No Citation Available Salt tolerance tolerant No Citation Available Soils and topography low to mid slopes, north or east aspects; coves, deep ravines, or well-drained valley floors, elevations to 3500ft in middle of range No Citation Available Texture wide range of parent material; rock fragments; prefers well-drained loam to silty clay loam No Citation Available Growth Pattern Good seed crop interval (fruit load) 2-5y No Citation Available Growth rate medium-fast No Citation Available Longevity long No Citation Available Root habit deep lateral spreading, root grafts readily No Citation Available Seed-bearing age /max production 25y /50y No Citation Available Habitat and Climate Fire tolerance intolerant as sapling, moderately toleranat at maturity No Citation Available Frost-free days (FFD) 100-220days No Citation Available Hardiness Zone 3b-7 (8) No Citation Available Native Range Eastern United States, Northeast to Nova Scotia No Citation Available Rainfall / humidity wide range, 30-80in No Citation Available Wind / ice / frost susceptibility infrequent No Citation Available Light Shade tolerance intermediate, responds well to release No Citation Available Vegetation Associations Competitive ability once established, dominant or codominant No Citation Available Indicator species and associated forest pure stands, mixed hardwood No Citation Available Images Northern Red Oak Nuts Paul Wray, Iowa State University www.forestryimages.org