The natural range of the red oak covers the eastern part of North America—from southeastern Canada to the eastern United States. It was introduced to Europe in the 17th century as a valued ornamental tree, and over time it also began to be used in forestry. Today, it is one of the important forest-forming species with economic significance and is among the most commonly encountered non-native trees on the continent.
In Poland, the red oak was widely planted in forests during the 20th century, except in the highest parts of the Carpathians and the Sudetes. It is now considered a species well-established in the natural environment and continues to be widely used in forestry.