Scarlet oak

Quercus coccinea Münchh.

Family: Fagaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

No hazard route is stated for this plant in the sources cited; absence is not a safety clearance.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA has an "Oak (Quercus species)" genus page listing toxic to horses only (gallotannin), with no dog or cat statement; that is a whole-genus page, not one specific to Quercus coccinea. Do not treat as pet-safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Quercus coccinea Münchh. (USask, Oregon State, Virginia Tech, Cornell and Kew WCVP agree), not on the common name.. USask says scarlet oak and northern pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) are difficult to tell apart; Virginia Tech also lists pin oak, black oak and northern red oak as look-alikes. Check the botanical name, Quercus coccinea.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: zone 4 per Oregon State; zone 5a per Cornell; USask writes its tree list for a Zone 3 garden (list-wide statement)
Light: Full sun per Cornell.
Water needs: moderate moderate is a plain-language reading: Cornell says consistently moist, well-drained soil with occasional dry periods; Oregon State says generally found on dry, sandy soils. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: Oregon State: 70-80 ft tall; Cornell: 70-75 ft tall and 40-50 ft wide; Virginia Tech: up to 80 ft with generally poor form

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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