CRIMSON SPIRE™ oak is a hybrid between English oak and White oak. It was selected for a narrow form (15 feet wide) and good red fall color. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
Botanical name:
All Common Names:
Family (English):
Family (Botanic):
Planting Site:
- Residential and parks,
- City parkway,
- Wide median,
- Restricted sites
Tree or Plant Type:
- Tree
Foliage:
- Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native Locale:
- Non-native
Landscape Uses:
- Parkway/street,
- Patio/sidewalk,
- Shade tree,
- Specimen
Size Range:
- Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Light Exposure:
- Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness Zones:
- Zone 4,
- Zone 5 (Chicago),
- Zone 6,
- Zone 7
Soil Preference:
- Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances:
- Dry sites,
- Occasional drought,
- Alkaline soil
Acid Soils:
- Tolerant
Alkaline Soils:
- Tolerant
Salt Spray:
- Intolerant
Soil Salt:
- Intolerant
Drought Conditions:
- Tolerant
Poor Drainage:
- Moderately Tolerant
Planting Considerations:
- Messy fruit/plant parts
Ornamental Interest:
- Fall color
Season of Interest:
- Mid fall,
- Late fall
Flower Color & Fragrance:
- Inconspicuous
Shape or Form:
- Columnar
Growth Rate:
- Fast
Transplants Well:
- Yes
Wildlife:
- Migrant birds,
- Small mammals
More Information:
Tree & Plant Care
Prune oaks in the dormant season to avoid attracting beetles that may carry oak wilt. More tolerant of wet sites than its white oak parent, but well drained sites are best. Intolerant of salt.
Disease, pests, and problems
Oak wilt, anthracnose, two-lined chestnut borer are possible problems.
Disease, pest, and problem resistance
Resistant to powdery mildew.
Native geographic location and habitat
Of hybrid origin.
Bark color and texture
Bark is dark brown and furrowed.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture
Alternate, lobed leaves; dark green in summer changing 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 axils of new leaves.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions
1-inch long, elongated nut is enclosed with a warty cap. The cap covers about 1/4 of the nut.
Acorns ripen in fall and can be considered a litter problem, especially near sidewalks and patios.