Quercus coccinea
Scarlet Oak
About the plant
What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
Safety
- Toxicity
- Poisonous to horse, cattle. Acorns, young leaves. Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin. Stated for Quercus spp.Plants Poisonous to Livestock
- Toxicity
- Low severity. Leaves, Seeds. Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin.Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
The plant
- Habit
- TreePlant Finder
- Habit
- Perennial, TreePLANTS Database
- Height
- 50-70 ftPlant Finder
- Height
- 70.0 ftPLANTS Database
- Spread
- 40-50 ftPlant Finder
- Flower
- Yellowish-greenPlant Finder
- Flower
- YellowPLANTS Database
- Blooms
- April to MayPlant Finder
- Blooms
- Mid SpringPLANTS Database
- Native range
- Eastern United States, southern CanadaPlant Finder
- Native range
- Native to the lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
- Hardiness zones
- 4-9Plant Finder
- Note
- Only the half of the acorns that sank were viable. Float them before sowing.Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed.
- Note
- Good autumn colour. Tolerates drought and black walnut.Plant Finder
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sunPlant Finder
- Sun
- Shade tolerance: HighPLANTS Database
- Soil
- Average, dry to medium, well-drainedPlant Finder
- Moisture
- Dry to mediumPlant Finder
- Moisture
- Moisture use: MediumPLANTS Database
- Watering
- Dry to mediumPlant Finder
Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.
Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Plants Poisonous to Livestock — Cornell University Department of Animal Science; Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.
This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.
Protocol 1
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Low
Start around December 23, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C
Deno gives no length for this period; three months is his standard cycle.
Warm moist stratification
Temperature: 70°F 21°C
First up on the fourth day, then about 7% of the packet a day.
about 3 months from start to sowing. Then 13 days to germinate.
61% germination — first up on day 4, then 7% a day.
Float the acorns first: only the half that sank were alive at all.
This source doesn't state how long.
Protocol 2
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993Difficulty Moderate
Start around September 23, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.
Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C
8% here. Deno gives no length for this period; three months is his standard cycle.
Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C
Warm moist stratification
Temperature: 70°F 21°C
28% in the second week.
about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 14 days to germinate.
28% germination in 14 days.
8% comes up warm, 28% after the cold. Starting cold does better and is quicker.
This source doesn't state how long.