Audubon® Native Southern Red Oak Treeling

Southern Red Oak asks for little but gives so much! This tough, tenacious southern shade tree grows on the poorest soils without complaint, growing into a grand specimen with a tall, straight trunk and a beautiful arching canopy. Southern Red Oaks offer safe and secure nesting sites and food in abundance. Oak Trees’ acorns are always a hit with larger birds like Turkeys, Woodpeckers, and Blue Jays, but Southern Red Oaks acorns are small, making them manageable for even smaller birds like Titmice and Nuthatches. For insectivorous birds, a smorgasbord awaits in the form of caterpillars, leafhoppers, bugs, and beetles that feed on the foliage.

Since the seventeenth century, Southern Red Oak has also been known as the Spanish Oak, though nobody knows why. It has nothing to do with Spain. This is an American tree, native primarily to the southeastern states, but also reaching up into southeastern New York and southern Illinois. In the South, it grows prolifically, even on badly eroded red clay soils. In better sites, it becomes a regal specimen. The two national co-champions live in Virginia. One is currently 92 feet tall, with a trunk that’s eight-and-a-half feet wide. The other is 140 feet tall, with a seven-foot trunk.

Have you ever come across one of those funny walking stick insects? With Southern Red Oak, you may get your chance. Oaks are one common food source for these bizarre animals. Very cool.

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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