Quick answer: Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) is native to 28 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically live plant, verified 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: Famartin, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium water, Moist |
| Soil | Shallow infertile soils over sandstone or limestone, acidic pH |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-May |
| Height | Up to 75 ft, occasionally 150 ft |
| Wildlife value | Acorns feed squirrels/chipmunks/mice/deer/turkey/blue jays/woodpeckers |
none noted; very susceptible to fire damage/oak wilt
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (16 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Live plant via Amazon · listing verified 16 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Scarlet oak
Where is Scarlet oak native?
Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) is native to 28 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Scarlet oak bloom?
Scarlet oak blooms Mar-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Scarlet oak need?
Light: Sun. Water: Medium water, Moist. Soil: Shallow infertile soils over sandstone or limestone, acidic pH. Mature height: Up to 75 ft, occasionally 150 ft.
Is Scarlet oak good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Acorns feed squirrels/chipmunks/mice/deer/turkey/blue jays/woodpeckers.
Where can I buy real Scarlet oak seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as live plant that names the true species, last checked 16 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Quercus coccinea on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Scarlet oak.
- Butternut Juglans cinerea
- American beech Fagus grandifolia
- Virgin's bower Clematis virginiana
- Common winterberry Ilex verticillata
- Pagoda dogwood Cornus alternifolia
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
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