General: The northern red oak is native to eastern North America and often forms pure deciduous forests here. It was introduced in Europe because of its attractive autumn color and also plays a role in forestry. Red oaks are vigorous and develop into imposing trees with a height of up to 25 meters. The trunk is often continuous and the crown broadly spreading. The leaves of the red oak are up to 23 cm long and thus significantly larger than those of the european domestic oak. In addition, the individual leaf lobes are pointed or toothed. The autumn color of the red oak is bright orange to scarlet and very splendid.
Care as a bonsai: The northern red oak has relatively large leaves, but its robustness, pruning tolerance and tolerance to the requirements of the location and, last but not least, the magnificent autumn color speak for a cultivation as a bonsai. In the pot, the leaves are also significantly smaller and the design looks convincing with larger bonsai formats. The bark of the red oak stays smooth for a long time and wired branches should be checked regularly to prevent the wire from growing in. The red oak prefers a light location, good watering and regular fertilization. It tolerates heat and is frost hardy, but should of course be protected from drying winds when frozen.
