Which oak is red oak, white oak or which oak? Although oak trees might look the same, there are many differences that should be known. When planting oak trees, you should consider their growth rate, maximum size and bark color as well as adaptability.

White oak trees are actually made of grey bark, which tends to be divided into small vertical blocks. Red oak trees, on the other hand, have dark red/grey/brown or brown bark with a scaly texture. Red oaks can live up to 500years and will grow 24in per year, while white oaks can live up 600 years.

Oak trees can last for a long time, are durable and beautiful. Personal preference plays a major role in selecting a tree. We want to help you make the right choice.

What is the Lifespan of a Red Oak vs. White Oak?

It’s obvious that red oaks and white oaks are very different. But what does this mean? It matters.

One, these species’ lifespans can tell a lot about their longevity and prime. It also gives insight into what each species can expect.

Individual white oaks live up to five hundred years.

Lake Forest College research has shown that red oaks have a shorter lifespan than their white oak counterparts. Red oaks can live for up to three hundred and five hundred years.

We can see that the white oak’s typical lifespan is shorter than the red oak species.

Although we all know that hundreds of years can take longer than our brains can comprehend, there are many ways to look at that.

To find out how long oak trees can live, see our life expectancy guide.

How Quickly Does An Oak Tree Grow?

Let’s now talk about the annual growth. White oaks grow at an extremely slow rate, about 12-24 inches per year. This is a significant slowdown compared to other trees of the same caliber.

This is a pretty common trait between red oaks. According to the Nebraska Forest Service research, red oak trees can grow to about 18-24 inches each year. This is a bit faster than the white oak.

Physical Characteristics of Red & White Oak Trees

Their physical characteristics are one of the most distinguishing traits between red oak trees and white oak trees. This includes the variety of their bark, leaves, and colors.

You can find our guide to the best oak tree to plant here .

Bark color

The most obvious difference between white and red oak trees is their bark color. This is the key to distinguishing them.

Red Oak Tree Bark Color

The bark of young trees is light grey when the trunks are thin. This light color is reflective from the winter sun, so it’s surprising that the bark doesn’t change with age. On large branches of mature trees, this can be seen.

A red oak tree’s bark is dark in color and has a rough texture. It has thin, rounded edges with a scaly texture. The red oak tree ends its twigs in a cluster with buds. It also has reddish-brown, twigs that have light-colored buds.

As the bark ages, ridges form and the trunk becomes a mixture of shiny grey with dark fissures. Old trees will have darker brown bark. The trunk’s bottom section is more pronounced in very old trees. There are also deeper fissures and ridges than those found in middle-aged trees. Old trees have a deeper texture and darker colors, which can range from dark grey to noir.

White Oak Tree Bark Color

A white oak tree’s bark is usually grey. It tends to be divided by shallow fissures along its length. These irregularly shaped flakes can range in color from lighter to deeper, more ashen grays.

The color of twigs is grey-purple, and the buds have blunt ends. This is quite different from the red oak’s twigs, which have softer edges and more muted coloring.

Leaf Shape and Color

Below we will discuss the differences in leaf shapes and colors for red oak trees. You can find our article on the major leaves and bark differences between maple and oak trees here .

Red Oak Tree Leaf Characteristics

These mildly shiny leaves come in a variety of colors. In the summer they can range from light to deep, dark, green tones, then change to gold or crimson as summer progresses.

A red oak leaf is almost shiny and smooth. They are deciduous trees and have some irregularly bristle-tipped, bristle-tipped tooth. They average between 4-10 inches in length and 3-6 inches in width.

The leaves of a red-oak continue to turn a deep orange to a deeper crimson in the autumn months. These leaves can turn bright red, maroon or crimson in the fall.

White Oak Tree Leaf Characteristics

White oaks’ leaves can be as long as 5 to 9 inches in length, but their width is only 2 to 4 inches. Instead of having more jagged, bristled tips, they have blunt-ended points that change in size and shape depending on where it is located and the other trees nearby.

The red oak’s leaves fall less often than the red oak, but the leaves of the red oak are thicker and will not be able to fall off the tree during winter. Although they will eventually fall, they tend to last longer than the red oak and offer a beautiful contrast between a bright yellow and deep reddish brown color.

Best Oak Tree Hardiness Zone

Have you ever wondered what the ideal growing area for oak trees is? Are you curious about the differences between white and red oaks? We are glad you have read this far, because it’s for YOU!

First, what is a zone of hardiness?

You can find a map of the USDA’s different zones here. Oak trees are in the lower range of hardiness, meaning they are more resilient. Okay… and?

This means that they can thrive in lower temperatures.

Each zone is a temperature range between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is how the USDA hardiness zones function. The zones are divided into the letters A and B. They divide the 10-degree temperature range into two halves, the lower 5° and the higher.

Zone 5 is, for example, the minimum temperature in the range of 10 to 20 F. So subzone 5a refers to temperatures between -10 and -15 F. Subzone 5b, on the other hand, refers to temperatures between -15 and -20 F.

Is that clear? We can help you get there. There are a lot of numbers and letters to consider. We will now explain more.

A hardiness zone is information about which plants are able to survive certain climate conditions. It also includes the ability of the plants to survive within a specific temperature range. You can now access our hardiness zones or growing zones.

Hardiness refers to how hardy a plant is at surviving cold temperatures. The USDA zones provide basic information about these temperatures and forecasts, but cannot take into account every factor.

This system overlooks things like precipitation, elevation, freeze dates. However, it is the standard and we will explain in those terms.

Does that make sense? Let’s now talk about the hardiness zones that oak trees are found in. This is the most similarity between the two species.

You can also refer to our planting oak trees in your yard article if you are thinking of planting one.

Best Red Oak Tree Hardiness Zone

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, red oak trees can thrive in full to partial sun and are found in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7. Red oak can survive in temperatures between 10 and -30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Red oak trees can generally survive to USDA zone 8. Red oak trees live between 300 and 500 years, reaching a maximum height of 140 feet. Red oak trees can grow as high as 24in each year.

White Oak Tree Hardiness Zone

Here are some interesting facts about white oak trees.

White oaks can be found in zones 3b through 9b. White oak trees can survive temperatures as low as 30°F to 40°F. White oak trees can live up to 500 years, reach 80 feet in height, and grow up to 18 inches per year.

This is because some white oak varieties may be less resilient than others. These zones should be considered in conjunction with many other factors. Trees can also be affected by temperature.

Oak Tree Adaptability

The adaptability of red and white oak trees is remarkable. But what type of soil does it prefer and where can they be grown best? Let’s get on with it!

Red Oak Tree Soil Preference

Red oaks can thrive on any soil. You can’t get more adaptable than this, it seems.

Red oak trees like moist, deep soil, which is rich in acidity and rich, but can adapt to dry soils that have a neutral or slightly alkaline pH.

White Oak Tree Soil Preference

White oaks will not thrive in soil that is too compacted or overused.

White oak trees thrive in moist, well-drained areas. They are more adaptable than red oaks because of their deep root system, which allows them to tolerate drought as it matures.

This species thrives in soils that are slightly acidic and deep.

How Tall Do Red and White Oak Trees Grow?

The height of red and white oak trees can be quite impressive! We’ve provided a brief overview of the natural growth of these oaks trees.

Red Oak Tree 10 Year Height

The red oak tree has been growing taller for 10 years. It is now larger than the people who planted it.

Red oak trees can still be quite young after 10 years. However, the trunk is becoming a lot wider and it starts to look more substantial. Ten years after being planted, red oak trees will reach 15 to 20 feet in height.

White Oak Tree 10 Year Height

The white oak starts its life slowly. It will grow 10 to 15 feet taller after 10 years. It is still taller than anyone, but it hasn’t yet reached the maturity and texture of a mature oak tree.

Red Oak Tree 25 Year Height

The red oak tree will double and triple in size after 25 years and reach 35-40 feet in height. Red oak trees will tower over a 2-story house and be taller than most suburban architecture.

White Oak Tree 25 Year Height

A white oak tree can reach 30-40 feet in height 25 years after it was planted. The white oak tree now has a very close rival in height to the red oak at this stage in its life span.

Red Oak Tree 50 year Height

It is now about 50 years old, and it has reached 55-65 feet in height, 50 years after its planting.

White Oak Tree 50 Year Height

A 4-story building is still possible after 50 years. Consider a 5-story building, as the white oak has grown to be 50-75 feet taller over time.

What is The Peak Height of an Oak Tree?

Both red and oak trees can reach remarkable heights when fully grown. Below is a glimpse at their full height.

Red Oak Tree Peak Height

Although white oaks have been able to surpass the reds at the 50-year mark, let’s not forget there are many varieties of this species. The northern red oak is just one.

Red oak trees can grow straight and tall in many forests. They can reach a height of up to 90 feet.

White Oak Tree Peak Height

White oak’s peak height can vary depending on the type of tree that falls under this title.

White oak trees can grow up to 100 feet in height, but they typically mature between 50-80 feet high. When we reach the highest range of mature oak growth, it is usually between 80 and 100 feet. The trunk diameter is approximately 3-4 feet for individuals reaching 100 feet.

These are huge.

That’s a Wrap!

We now know more about the main types of oak trees, their growth, where they thrive and what they can expect to be in a few hundred years.

Although they are very similar, red and white oaks have many distinct characteristics that make them unique species.

White oaks live longer than other trees, so if you are concerned about the future of the tree you planted, this may be the right choice.

Red oaks grow faster than other species, at 18-24 inches per annum, and can thrive on any soil. This is the combination of speed, adaptability, and flexibility that we support.

You have the freedom to choose. Which shade or height would you prefer? Which tree is best for your environment? There are many questions, but this will give you a good idea of which tree may be right for you.

Thank you for reading! Go plant a tree now!!