The trunk diameter at breast height is typically 61 to 91 centimetres (24 to 36 inches) It is a medium-size tree that grows fast and matures relatively early.

The acorns are ovate, 7–13 millimetres (1⁄4–1⁄2 inch) broad and 17–31 mm (5⁄8–1+1⁄4 in) long, a third to a half covered in a deep cup, green maturing pale brown about 18 months after pollination; the kernel is very bitter.

It is primarily distributed in the central and eastern United States, from southern Maine west to Wisconsin, Michigan and Missouri, and south as far as Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia.

When at a lower elevation surrounding the Appalachian Mountains, pine forests and heaths are a common component.

To favor oak regeneration, non-oak stems in the understory exceeding 4 feet can be controlled by various methods.

Many species of wildlife look to Q. coccinea for shelter, including small- to medium-sized birds, as well as small mammals such as squirrels.

It provides food in the form of acorns to many animals,[10] such as woodpeckers, blue jays, squirrels, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and black bears.

Other defoliating insects capable of killing scarlet oaks include the oak leaftier moth (Acleris semipurpurana), fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria), forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), and walking stick (Diapheromera femoral).

Black carpenter ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) are known for nesting in the scarlet oak trees.

From 1968 to 1972, 27% of the scarlet oak population in the Newark watershed in New Jersey died from the spongy moth defoliation, which came before the towline chestnut borer and shoestring root rot attack.

[16] Scarlet oak is sometimes planted as an ornamental tree, popular for its bright red fall color.

[17][18] Scarlet oak has an excellent red color during the fall months and is typically grown for shade and ornamental purposes.