The northern red oak is often cultivated as an ornamental; it grows rapidly into a round-headed, wide-spreading tree about 25 m (80 feet) tall, occasionally to 45 m (150 feet). Its oblong leaves have 7 to 11 lobes, are 20 cm (8 inches) or longer, and are dull green above and yellowish green and hairy beneath; they turn red-orange in autumn and persist into winter. The acorn is about 3 cm long and held at the base in a shallow cup.
