By Sarracenia Chapter of NPS
Southern Red Oak
By LYNN ARTZ, DAVID RODDENBERRY, and SANDY TEDDER
Southern red oak (Quercus falcata) is a long-lived deciduous tree that grows 60-80 feet tall. Its lustrous green leaves are downy tan underneath, longer than wide, deeply lobed, and bristle tipped. They turn reddish-brown in fall. Also called Spanish oak, this oak is native to the southeastern US. It occurs mainly in Florida’s northern counties. It inhabits dry upland sites and is common on poor-quality, sandy ridges. It is fire adapted and drought tolerant. A keystone species, its leaves feed the caterpillars of hairstreak and duskywing butterflies and many others, providing vital food for baby birds. Its oval acorns, 1/3 covered by the cap, feed woodpeckers, turkeys, deer, and Florida black bears. This handsome shade tree is one of Crawfordville’s signature trees. Sadly, its presence is diminishing due to development.