Northern Red Oak Tree Seeds (Quercus rubra)
Northern Red Oak Tree Seeds (Quercus rubra)
Bold canopy. Autumn royalty.
Quercus rubra, the Northern Red Oak, is a fast-growing native hardwood prized for its straight trunk, broad crown, and blazing red fall color. Tough, long-lived, and wildlife-friendly, it’s a cornerstone tree for shade, restoration, and legacy plantings.
Why choose Northern Red Oak?
- Native across eastern and central North America
- Fiery red autumn foliage with glossy, lobed summer leaves
- Supports hundreds of native insects, birds, and mammals
- Faster-growing than many oaks—great for reforestation and shade
Growing details
- Botanical Name: Quercus rubra
- Stratification: 60–90 days cold stratification required
- USDA Zones: 3–8
- Soil: Deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soils preferred
- Light: Full sun
- Mature Size: 60–80 ft tall × 40–60 ft wide
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
FAQ
Do Northern Red Oak seeds need stratification?
Yes. Cold, moist stratify for 60–90 days before spring sowing.
How fast will it grow?
Red Oak is moderate to fast for an oak, establishing quickly in full sun and good soil.
Is it good for wildlife?
Excellent. Oaks support a high number of native insects and provide acorns for birds and mammals.
Related seeds
- Black Walnut Tree Seeds (Juglans nigra)
- Bur Oak Tree Seeds (Quercus macrocarpa)
- Red Maple Tree Seeds (Acer rubrum)
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for rare, resilient, and high-germination tree seeds. Each order is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with full planting instructions.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
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