It grows on diverse sites from dry ridges to swamps, although its best development is on moderately drained, moist sites. It is prized as an ornamental because of its rapid growth, brightly colored seeds in the spring, and red autumn colors. Red maple seeds are a good source of food for many wildlife species. Seed production may begin as early as age four. It most commonly found on dry, infertile slopes, and rocky ridges but reaches its best development on rich, well-drained soils along streams.
Chestnut oak is intermediate in shade tolerance.
It is slow growing. The acorns of chestnut oak are an important mast for squirrels, deer, turkeys, and other wildlife. The wood is sold as white oak. A moderate to fast growing tree found in the mountains and piedmont, rarely in the coastal plain. Open grown trees tend to have short boles and massive crowns.