#migrantnorth

Quercus rubra (Northern Red Oak)

Plant community: Old Field 

Native status: Native to Eastern North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 50-75 ft

Width: 50-75 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Intolerant of salt

Tolerant of drought

Tolerant of poor drainage

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: Zones 3-7

Leaf color: Dull dark green leaves in the summer which turn a bright red in the fall

Flower color / bloom time: Yellowish-green blooms which come out in May

Response to Climate Change:

Northward migration

 Potential Climate applications:

Top tree to use for carbon sequestration

Harvard researchers are monitoring the physiology of a red oak with a variety of cameras and sensors. Monitored factors include trunk radius, carbon storage and sequestration, sap and water flow through xylem, surrounding temperature etc. The researchers are trying to figure out how heatwaves drought and other climate change induced events effect the trees systems. The tree has already been monitored for over 50 years prior and is connected with a Twitter account to update followers on how the tree is “feeling” saying statements like, “Today is the 24th hottest day since 50 years”.

Climate adaption rank: 3

Sources

https://htirc.org/wp-content/themes/child_theme/assets/pdf/David%20Platteter.pdf

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/08/tree-in-harvard-forest-live-tweets-climate-change/