Tree bark provides a protective layer and contributes significantly to the visual character of the landscape. While most trees feature brown, gray, or white outer layers, red coloration is a distinct and unusual trait. This vibrant hue is particularly noticeable during the winter months when deciduous branches are bare. Understanding which species exhibit this feature and the underlying biological mechanisms deepens appreciation for arboreal diversity.
The Most Common Red-Barked Trees
The Dogwood genus, particularly shrubby species, offers some of the most recognized examples of intense red bark, especially the Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea). This multi-stemmed shrub typically reaches six to nine feet and is often found in moist soil conditions across North America. Its younger stems exhibit a deep crimson color throughout the dormant season, providing contrast against snow.
The Tatarian Dogwood (Cornus alba) is another species known for reddish stems, often planted as a slightly smaller ornamental shrub. Varieties such as ‘Sibirica’ are cultivated for their bright coral-red winter stems, which are most saturated in the newest growth. The color is displayed on the thin, smooth outer layer of the young branches.
The Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) includes several cultivars with a reddish bark tone, though often more subtle than the Dogwoods. The Coral Bark Maple cultivar, Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’, is sought after for its striking coral-red branches prominent in late fall and winter. This small, slow-growing tree reaches 20 to 25 feet and is commonly used in temperate gardens.
Moving beyond thin stems, the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) develops a distinctive orange-red hue on its upper trunk and branches as it ages. This conifer can exceed 100 feet and is widely distributed across Europe and Asia. The reddish color is most apparent where the exfoliating, plate-like bark peels away, exposing the inner layers on the upper half of the tree.
Certain Cherry varieties, such as the Paperbark Cherry (Prunus serrula), display a polished, reddish-brown bark that peels in thin, papery horizontal strips. This medium-sized tree, typically reaching 20 to 30 feet, is native to western China. It is prized for the glossy, cinnamon-red appearance of its trunk and branches, offering a year-round visual appeal distinct from the seasonal display of Dogwoods.
Understanding the Color Source
The red coloration in tree bark and stems originates from specialized organic compounds, primarily pigments and tannins. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments responsible for red, purple, and blue colors, playing a role in the bright red hue of young Dogwood stems. These pigments are often produced in response to environmental conditions, such as cold temperatures or high light exposure, explaining the increased vibrancy during winter.
Tannins, a diverse group of astringent biomolecules, contribute to the reddish-brown and cinnamon colors found in thicker bark. These compounds are stored within the outer layers and provide protection against herbivores and pathogens. Oxidation of these tannins over time contributes to the deep, rusty-red or reddish-brown tones seen in the mature bark of species like the Scots Pine.
The specific location of pigment production within the bark structure determines the resulting color intensity. In the young stems of Dogwoods, anthocyanins are concentrated in the outermost layer just beneath the thin epidermis. This concentration allows the pigment to be highly visible, resulting in bright, saturated colors.
For trees with thicker, fissured bark, the reddish appearance often results from the exposure of inner cork layers or sapwood beneath the weathered outer layer. As the tree grows, the outer bark sheds or exfoliates, revealing the newly formed, typically redder, tissue underneath. This process is evident in the Paperbark Cherry, where continuous shedding exposes the smooth, pigmented inner bark.
Identifying Red Bark by Texture and Peel
Texture and the manner in which bark presents itself are reliable indicators for differentiating red-barked species. Shrubby species like the Red Osier Dogwood feature a smooth, glossy texture on young stems, lacking the fissures or roughness of mature bark. The red is continuous and uniform around the circumference of these thin branches, contrasting sharply with the older, grayish basal wood.
A distinct category involves trees where the red color is revealed through exfoliation, where the outer bark naturally peels away. The Paperbark Cherry is a prime example, characterized by thin, horizontal sheets that curl and separate from the trunk. This exposes a polished, smooth surface ranging from copper to cinnamon-red beneath, offering a persistent, year-round visual texture.
The peeling characteristic also applies to certain Maples, such as the Three-flower Maple (Acer triflorum), which exhibits shaggy, reddish-brown bark that flakes off in vertical strips. Unlike the smooth cherry, this bark has a coarser, more rugged feel, yet still showcases the warm, reddish inner layers. Observing the shape and direction of the peel helps distinguish between these varieties.
In contrast, mature conifers like the Scots Pine display reddish coloration in their upper trunk where the bark breaks into thick, irregular plates. These plates often appear furrowed and rough. The reddish-orange hue is most concentrated at the edges of the plates and where they have sloughed off, resulting in a mix of rusty reds and browns rather than a solid crimson.
The most intense red coloration is usually observed during the winter months on the previous season’s growth. As the growing season progresses, sunlight and weathering cause the pigments to fade or become obscured by the formation of a gray or brown outer layer. Pruning is sometimes practiced to encourage the growth of new, brightly pigmented shoots for maximum winter display.