Scarlet Oak
Quercus coccinea
Pickup available at Aiken Nursery
Usually ready in 2-4 days
The name is a promise the tree keeps only at the very end of the year. Coccinea is Latin for scarlet, and scarlet oak earns it in late October, well after the other oaks have turned and dropped, when the whole crown ignites into a clean, carrying red that holds for weeks and can be seen across a valley. It is, on a good tree in the right soil, the best fall color the genus offers, which is saying something. They are an oak of dry, sandy, acid uplands across the eastern states, the ridges and gravelly slopes where water runs off fast, and that upbringing makes them at home in a difficult yard: drought is no trouble, and unlike the pin oak they so often get mistaken for, they do not yellow and sulk. (The way to tell the two apart is the leaf: scarlet's sinuses are cut in clean C-curves, pin's in tighter U's, and scarlet's acorn sits deeper in its turbaned cup.) The crown opens with age into something broad and airy, casting a broken, dappled shade rather than a heavy one, and Washington, D.C. thought enough of them to make scarlet oak the official tree of the capital. They are slower to find in the trade than the easy red and pin oaks, which is the whole argument for planting one. Give them sun and a soil on the dry, acid side, and wait for October to make your case for you.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 4–9
- Sun
- Full Sun
- Soil
- Well-drained, Acid
- Mature size
- Height 70–75 Feet · Spread 40–50 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Seasonality
- Deciduous
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.