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      Show 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 Foliage/Fall leaf color golden yellow brown Fruit / Nut acorn occurs singly or clusters of 2-5; ripen Augst to mid-October, turn brown upon ripening; may take 2y to mature Height 60-75ft (100) Other valued traits lumber Spread 60ft Cultivation Propagation method Seed, low root sprouts Pruning resprouts readily after disturbance Seed treatment and storage cold stratification for 30-45days @ 41?F Seedling treatment require 30% canopy light penetration to persist Sowing seed germinate in spring following seed fall; best if seed makes contact with mineral soil and covered by leaf litter Transplant transplants readily, ball and burlap spring Watering guidelines moisture generally adequate at time of germination Critters Insect and invertebrate pests gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), many insect pests Pathogens oak decline, oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum), many other pathogens that are not threatening Soils Compaction (tolerance) intolerant Fertility / quality Low Moisture and drainage moist, well-drained, moderately drought tolerant pH 4.3-6.5 Salt tolerance tolerant 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 Texture wide range of parent material; rock fragments; prefers well-drained loam to silty clay loam Growth Pattern Good seed crop interval (fruit load) 2-5y Growth rate medium-fast Longevity long Root habit deep lateral spreading, root grafts readily Seed-bearing age /max production 25y /50y Habitat and Climate Fire tolerance intolerant as sapling, moderately toleranat at maturity Frost-free days (FFD) 100-220days Hardiness Zone 3b-7 (8) Native Range Eastern United States, Northeast to Nova Scotia Rainfall / humidity wide range, 30-80in Wind / ice / frost susceptibility infrequent Light Shade tolerance intermediate, responds well to release Vegetation Associations Competitive ability once established, dominant or codominant Indicator species and associated forest pure stands, mixed hardwood Images Northern Red Oak Nuts Paul Wray, Iowa State University www.forestryimages.org