The Trees at Keele
Red Oak Quercus rubra
Origin: Red Oak is native to E. Canada and NE USA to south and west Texas. It was introduced to Britain in 1724 and is planted widely in parks, large gardens, roadsides etc for its autumn colour.
The leaf is very variable in size and degree of lobing, ranging from 10 to 25cm in length. There are 4 - 5 lobes on each side, each up to 5cm deep and ending in a fine "whisker". The autumn colour of the leaves depends on local climatic conditions at the time. In the USA they turn vivid red but at Keele they are more a muddy red-brown!
The acorns take two years to mature; the first-year acorns being globose but flattened.
Growth is rapid - which accounts for some of the tree tags used a Keele falling off!
Location : wideley planted around campus.