Oak Crimson Spire vs Streetspire vs Scarlet Letter - Ask Extension
Hello,
I live in Arvada and would like to plant 3 columnar oaks in my backyard. I'm having a hard time finding details about the differences between ...
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Oak Crimson Spire vs Streetspire vs Scarlet Letter #880346
Asked August 06, 2024, 12:24 AM EDT
Hello,
I live in Arvada and would like to plant 3 columnar oaks in my backyard. I'm having a hard time finding details about the differences between Crimson Spire vs Streetspire vs Scarlet Letter. It seems like Streetspire loses its leaves in the winter and the others hold their leaves. Other than that, I'm a little stumped about which would be best. The area gets full sun.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Dear Rayana,
Thank you for contacting us with your question.
Both the Crimson Spire and Streetspire oak trees are recommended for Colorado in terms of disease resistance and soil adaptability. They are drought tolerant once established. The Scarlet Letter variety is a newer variety and therefore not as much research is available.
The difference, as you state, is that Streetspire loses its leaves in the fall, whereas the other two varieties hang onto them. For the trees that hang onto their leaves, they will turn brown and you would be raking them up as the new leaves emerge in the spring instead of in the fall.
This article has a list of recommended trees for Colorado.
https://ask2.extension.org/scp/tickets.php?id=880346#
Best regards,
Cindy G.
Colorado Master Gardener
Thank you for contacting us with your question.
Both the Crimson Spire and Streetspire oak trees are recommended for Colorado in terms of disease resistance and soil adaptability. They are drought tolerant once established. The Scarlet Letter variety is a newer variety and therefore not as much research is available.
The difference, as you state, is that Streetspire loses its leaves in the fall, whereas the other two varieties hang onto them. For the trees that hang onto their leaves, they will turn brown and you would be raking them up as the new leaves emerge in the spring instead of in the fall.
This article has a list of recommended trees for Colorado.
https://ask2.extension.org/scp/tickets.php?id=880346#
Best regards,
Cindy G.
Colorado Master Gardener
