Oak tree named ‘Betterred’

#Botanical designation: Quercus nuttallii.

#Cultivar denomination: ‘BETTERRED’.

#The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Oak tree, botanically known as Quercus nuttallii, commercially referred to as Nuttall Oak or Red Oak and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Betterred’.

#The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Oak tree showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Oak tree.

#The photographs on the first sheet comprise side perspective views of typical trees of ‘Betterred’ and ‘QNSTD’ grown during the winter in an outdoor nursery showing the differences in branch orientation and plant form.

#The photograph on the second sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical tree of ‘Betterred’ grown during the spring in an outdoor nursery.

#The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown in an outdoor nursery in Pulaski County, Ga. and under cultural practices typical of Oak tree commercial production. Trees were four years old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Botanical classification: Quercus nuttallii ‘Betterred’. Parentage: Female, or seed, parent.—Unnamed selection of Quercus nuttallii, not patented. Male, or pollen, parent.—Unknown selection of Quercus nuttallii, not patented. Propagation: Type.—By softwood cuttings. Root description.—Fibrous. Time to rooting.—About three to four weeks. Plant description: Plant form and growth habit.—Upright tree with upwardly sweeping lateral branches forming a pyramidal plant form; freely branching habit with numerous lateral branches developing per plant; vigorous growth habit; flowers have not been observed on plants of the new Oak tree. Plant height.—About 7.92 meters. Plant diameter.—About 4.27 meters. Height to width ratio.—About 1.9. Branch orientation.—Lower canopy branches, about 43° from central leader; upper canopy branches, about 31° from central leader. Lateral branch color.—Developing branches, close to N77A; mature branches, close to between 166A and 152A mottled with close to 198D. Trunk diameter, about 15 cm above ground level.—About 18.42 cm. Immature bark.—Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 198A with patches of close to 198D. Lenticels: Arrangement: Scattered or in vertical strands. Length: About 3 mm. Color: Close to 199D. Mature bark.—Texture: Rough with shallow ridges and furrows. Color: Close to 198A with patches of close to 198D. Leaf arrangement.—Alternate, simple. Leaf length.—About 10.2 cm to 22.9 cm. Leaf width.—About 5.1 cm to 12.7 cm. Leaf shape.—Roughly ovate to elliptic with five to nine deep narrow lobes; margins, entire; sinuses rounded; apex, acute to acuminate; base, attenuate; venation, pinnate. Leaf texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous. Leaf luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Glossy. Leaf color, spring.—Upper surface: Close to N77A. Lower surface: Close to 146A and N77A. Leaf color, summer.—Upper surface: Close to 137A. Lower surface: Close to 146A. Leaf color, autumn.—Upper and lower surfaces: Close to 13B, 47A and 22A. Leaf petioles.—Length: About 1.59 cm to 2.22 cm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to N77A. Leaf buds.—Length: About 3.18 cm to 6.35 cm. Texture: Pubescent; margins, ciliate. Color: Close to 200C mottled with close to 198D. Winter hardiness: Trees of the new Oak have been observed to be hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. Pathogen & pest resistance: Trees of the new Oak have been not observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Oak trees.