‘Quercus robur x. Q alba ‘Crimschmidt’
Take a good look at another tough tall narrow JFSchmidt introduction in the Crimson Spire™ Oak tree. This columnar, tightly fastigiate hybrid of English and White Oak combines the best characteristics of both parents. Dark green to bluish green mildew resistant foliage and reddish fall color is inherited from the White Oak tree parentage, while the fastigiate growth habit is inherited from the English Oak parentage. Leaves are smaller, dense and almost clustered along the upright lateral limbs. This columnar, tightly fastigiate tree grows to a height of about 45 feet and spread of 15 feet. (USDA Zone 5. Introduced in 1994).This is a relatively fast growing tree that is drought tolerant and somewhat easy to transplant. It will occasionally have what I call a lazy lateral, a long heavy limb that hangs out beyond the majority of upright limbs. This is more likely if growing under optimum soil conditions. These should be pruned back to build strength and join the rest of the upright crown.
When purchasing, take a close look at the graft union. This is one tree that has shown some graft incompatibility but these bad boys are, or should be culled out by the nursery by the time you get them.
The Crimson Spire™ Oak is another excellent narrow upright tree well suited to narrow planting strips, foundation plantings, screening and lining avenues for clear delineation. Fall color can be spectacular rusty red and more striking the closer you get.
The rusty red leaves do turn a light brown into the winter and do not drop until early spring. If winter leaves are a nuisance to you, then consider a close relative, the Streetspire® Oak, Quercus robur x alba ‘JFS-KW1QX’. Apparently the Streetspire® Oak tree has the very same characteristics as the Crimson Spire™ Oak tree except that the leaves fall in the fall, when they are supposed to. Let me know your experiences with this tree or others that we should know about.
Let me know if you have comments on these or other nursery trees for street and landscape use.
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Jim Barborinas
Owner of Urban Forest Nursery, Inc.
ISA Certified Arborist #0135
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #356
15119 McLean Rd.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
jim@urbanforestnursery.com
Wondering how Crimson Spire™ Oak performs in landscapes and street plantings?
Here are some common questions people ask about this tree:
Crimson Spire™ Oak combines a tightly upright, columnar habit with smaller, dense leaves clustered along its upright lateral limbs. The dark foliage turns a rusty red in fall, creating strong seasonal impact in landscapes.
Crimson Spire™ Oak typically reaches about 45 feet tall with a 15‑foot spread, making it a tall but narrow tree that provides strong vertical structure without taking up a wide footprint.
Yes — its narrow, fastigiate form makes Crimson Spire™ a good option where lateral space is limited, such as narrow planting strips, boulevards, and foundation plantings. Its form helps define lines and provides vertical emphasis in streetscapes.
Yes — the foliage holds interest through summer and then turns a striking rusty red in fall, with leaves sometimes lingering into winter. This extended color display adds multi‑season appeal in the landscape.
Crimson Spire™ is relatively easy to transplant and handles drought well once established. Occasionally a lateral limb may grow beyond the upright form — pruning these back encourages a stronger, more consistent columnar shape.