The Case For Red Oaks

Oak species are generally divided into two main groups: red oaks and white oaks. While there are many differences between the two, the most important factor for us is mast production—essentially, which oaks will best feed our deer herds.

White oaks tend to grab the spotlight because, in general, their acorns are more appealing to whitetail deer. The key factor here is tannins, a class of chemical compounds found in varying amounts in acorns. Higher tannin levels make acorns more bitter and harder for deer to digest. White oaks typically have lower tannin levels, which is why deer prefer them. As a result, white oaks are commonly planted for wildlife. However, I believe this focus on white oaks is a mistake, and red oaks deserve equal, if not more, attention when planning for deer nutrition.

One critical difference between the two groups is the lifespan of their acorns. White oak acorns don’t last long. They tend to germinate quickly after falling, and if they’re not eaten right away, they will rot and become useless. In contrast, red oak acorns require a cold period before they can germinate. This means they stay on the ground longer, providing a valuable food source for deer well into the winter months—long after the white oak acorns have disappeared.

If your primary goal is to attract deer during hunting season, white oaks might be your best bet. However, if you’re aiming to offer nutritional value to your herd through the critical winter months, I highly recommend planting red oak species alongside your white oaks.

My personal favorites are Shumard Oak and Nuttall Oak. Both of these red oak species drop acorns well into winter and start producing at a relatively young age. They’re also beautiful trees, often planted as ornamentals in places like church parking lots and parks. I frequently get photos from customers and friends asking, “What kind of tree is this?” when they stumble upon one of these trees raining acorns in a parking lot—chances are, it’s a Nuttall or Shumard Oak.