"Scarlet Oak is a native deciduous tree in the beech family that grows 50 to 80 feet tall and spreads between 45 to 60 feet. It is long-lived, durable and easy to grow. It is found in dry upland forests in the Piedmont and middle to lower mountains of NC. The tree prefers acidic sandy soils on the dry side but will tolerate other soils if they are well-drained. The tree is narrow with an open irregular crown and often retains numerous small dead branches.

"It is often grown for its beautiful fall color and drought tolerance. It is an important source of food for many wildlife species. For an oak, it grows fast and bears acorns in 20 years. Due to thin bark, the tree has low fire resistance. Use as a shade tree or street tree. As with all oaks, it is a high-value wildlife plant." (North Carolina Extension)