A few days ago, I spotted a leaf of a Southern red oak, Quercus falcata, as I walked at work. I’ve heard kids say the leaf reminds them of an electric guitar, and I thought of that as I craned my neck to find the tree from which the leaf had fallen. When I discovered the tree and pointed it out to a friend using another name for the tree, Spanish oak, I was amused to hear “…but I thought Spanish oaks have moss hanging from them”. 
This idea, without doubt, was derived from the nostalgic image of Spanish moss growing on an old southern oak tree. The fact is, Spanish moss does not live as far north as Atlanta, and it would rather live on a live oak, a bald cypress, or even an eastern redcedar than a Southern red oak. The large Southern red oak I found did not need Spanish moss to impress me.
Though the Southern red oak is also known as Spanish oak, it is not native to Spain. It is common in forests of the southeastern United States, ranging from southern New Jersey to north Florida, and westward to Oklahoma and Texas. Medium-growing and long-lived, this tree grows best in dry upland sites with full sun and 
sandy or clay loam soils. These trees can grow large, with the champion Southern red oak in Atlanta, GA having a height of 94.3 feet, trunk circumference of 19.0 feet, and spread of 130 feet. An even bigger tree in Upson county, GA is alleged to be the largest Southern red oak in the country, but it may be a cherry bark oak. It has a height of 137 feet, trunk circumference of 28.4 feet, and spread of 118 feet. This massive tree may be viewed at https://www.americanforests.org/big-trees/southern-red-oak-quercus-falcata-2/.
The Southern red oak makes a good shade or specimen tree. The trunk usually grows straight, and surface roots are usually not a problem. Major branches are well-spaced and attached strongly to the tree. They grow mostly upright, with no drooping. The bark is thick and furrowed with narrow, shallow ridges. It is dark brownish gray to black, and the interior bark is orange. Terminal buds on twigs are dark reddish brown, hairy, pointed, and only 1/8 to ¼ inch long. The canopy is irregular and oval in shape, with a coarse texture due to the shape of the leaves.
Leaves of the Southern red oak appear 
simple and alternate. They are attached to petioles that are flattened, slender, pubescent, and 1 to 2 inches in length. The leaves are smooth and shiny green on top, and rusty and pubescent below, particularly along the midrib and veins. The difference in color between the two sides is striking. Leaf size is generally 5 to 9 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide, with the base rounded and the terminal lobe much longer and narrower than the others. On lower shade leaves, the shape resembles that of a bell, with the terminal lobe resembling the bell’s clapper. Higher sun leaves usually have additional lobes, 3 to 5 or more, that are deeply incised, pointed and bristle-tipped. The similar cherrybark oak is different having 5 to 11 lobes, and preferring poorly drained bottomland sites. The Southern red oak leaf’s characteristic bell-shaped base is different from the ‘V’-shaped 
base of the similar turkey oak. The tree’s scientific name, Quercus falcata, means sickle-shaped, and most lobes are slightly curved like a sickle. However, there is much variability between leaves. Leaves turn red-brown in autumn, and fall over an extended period of time into winter.
Seed production begins when the tree is about 25 years old, with maximum production occurring between the ages of 50 and 75. Flowers are yellowish green male catkins and red tinged female flowers occurring on short, hairy stalks. They are inconspicuous, and bloom in spring as leaves appear. Acorns formed are orange-brown, globular-
shaped, and about ½ inch long. They have a thin, flat, and slightly hairy, saucer-shaped cup that covers about 1/3 of the nut. This cup is reddish brown with densely hairy scales. The acorn matures at the end of its second season.
Many uses have been found for the Southern red oak. The tree has attractive ornamental features, requires little maintenance, and has a medium growth rate. It makes an excellent large shade or specimen tree when given plenty of room for growth. The root system is useful for stabilizing soil and watershed protection. Wood of the Southern red oak is heavy and strong, though not as strong as Northern red oak. 
Furniture, cabinets, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and fence posts are made from the wood. Its medium-to-large pores and fairly coarse grain takes glue, stain and finishes well. Southern red oak has a high heat value when burned, so it makes good fuel wood. Tannins in the bark are used to cure leather. Acorns are an important food for many birds including songbirds and turkeys, small mammals including squirrels and rabbits, and large mammals including deer and black bears. Native Americans have used the tree in various ways to treat indigestion, chronic dysentery, fever, chapped skin, sores, milky urine, asthma, and as an antiseptic and tonic.
The Southern red oak holds its own very well without the enhancement of Spanish moss. This is an attractive tree with many uses.
