CRIMSON SPIRE™ oak | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Beech
Family (botanic) Fagaceae
Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks, Restricted sites, Wide median
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height >40 feet
Mature width 10-20 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought
Season of interest mid fall, late fall
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Columnar
Growth rate Fast
Transplants well Yes
Planting considerations Messy fruit/plant parts
Wildlife Migrant birds, Small mammals
Has cultivars Yes

Size and form:

The columnar mature height is more than 40 feet and mature width is 10 to 20 feet.

Native geographic location and habitat:

This is of hybrid origin.

Bark color and texture:

Bark is dark brown and furrowed.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The dark green alternate, lobed leaves change to red in fall.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Flowers are not ornamentally important. Drooping, male catkins appear in April. Female flowers are inconspicuous tiny spikes in the axils of new leaves.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

The 1 inch long, elongated nut is enclosed with a warty cap which is about a quarter of the nut. Acorns ripen in fall and can be considered a litter problem, especially near sidewalks and patios.