Taxonomy
Quercus rubra | Red Oak | Dair Dearg
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact
Irish status
Occasionally present, casual, vagrant, migratory
Introduction pathways - 1
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Ornamental purpose
Invasive score
14
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Fast growing deciduous oak tree, up to 30m tall with a diameter of 1.8m, large leaves 20-25cm long with 4-6 irregularly toothed lobes (Booy et al., 2015). Acorn cup is extremely shallow, covering less than one third of the acorn with oval scales (Booy et al., 2015).
Ecology
Outcompetes and displaces native vegetation (Booy et al., 2015; Preston et al., 2004), as well as potentially being a vector for the further spread of Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak death).
Habitat
Woodland, forest and other wooded land; Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural or domestic habitat Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats,
Pathway and vector description
Cultivated in Britain since 1720s at least (Preston et al., 2004), it is likely to have been planted in Ireland in the 18th century and is still widely available in garden centres and nurseries. The "King Oak" in Tullamore, considered one of the oldest trees in Ireland, is a red oak.
Mechanism of impact
Competition
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
Planted in gardens and parks but also found in natural and semi natural woodlands (Preston et al., 2004).
Species group
Plant
Native region
North America
Similar species
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Established - Widespread but localised.
Native distribution
Native to eastern North America (Preston et al., 2004).
Temporal change
Date of first record category
Unknown
Fifty year date category
Unknown
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
References
Publications
Preston, C.D., Pearman, D. A. & Dines, T. D. (2002). New atlas of the British and Irish flora. An atlas of the vascular plants of Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, Oxford University Press. Booy, O., Wade, M. & Roy, H. (2015) A Field Guide to Invasive Plants & Animals in Britain. Bloomsbury.