Scarlet oaks are deciduous trees that grow to reach 65–100 feet tall. They have a rounded crown of glossy foliage that turns bright red in both spring and fall. Popular for more than their vivid color, these oaks tolerate both poor soils and high winds, making them ideal shade trees for lawns and parks. While their acorns provide an important food source for squirrels, chipmunks, Bluejays, and Red-headed Woodpeckers all winter long.

Retaining their fiery red leaves into winter, makes these trees standout in the park amidst those which have already gone bare. They are natives of the eastern United States, with a habitat that stretches along the Appalachian Mountains, and into Indiana, Missouri, and Mississippi.