The seed is a short acorn 9–16 millimetres (11⁄32–5⁄8 in) long, bright orange-brown, enclosed for one-third to half of its length in a flat cup.

[5] In suitable habitats, the species can be found from southern New York (Long Island) south to central Florida and west to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.

[12] In the northeastern portion of its range the species is relatively rare and found almost exclusively along the coast; its highest prevalence is throughout the piedmont region of the Southeast.

Bark roughness increases in xeric sites compared to mesic ones potentially an adaptation to fire frequency.

[18] In attempts to manage oak wilt, an integrated approach is adopted, combining root disruption, sanitation, and chemical application to tackle the issue.

This means putting trenches, plow line or even a barrier to prevent roots of infected trees coming into contact of those that are healthy.

The southern red oak is a tree with diverse potential uses, such as for manufacturing of floors, furniture, construction materials and lumber thanks to the sturdy, durable and coarse-grained wood it provides.

[20] The southern red oak is vital in the southeastern United States due to its abundance, providing around 8.1% of annual hardwood volume.

The southern red oak has a large root system that provides watershed protection to reduce flood damage and soil stability.

[13] Southern red oak can provide acorn mast for deer, squirrels, turkeys, song birds and quail.