Southern red oak has leaves that are often fiddle-shaped or with three to seven bristle-tipped lobes, and a rust-colored pubescence underneath. The bark is dark and ridged.
Habitat and range
In Maryland, southern red oak grows on dry to moist uplands, slopes, and ridges, mainly on the coastal plain and piedmont. It tolerates a range of soils and is common in mixed oak forests.
Uses and significance
The wood is used for lumber, flooring, and veneer. Acorns are eaten by wildlife. Southern red oak is an important timber and mast tree in the Southeast and contributes to the diversity of Maryland's oak forests.