The evolution of microstructure and growth stresses in oxide scales grown on a (110) iron single crystal surface at 650°C was studied by electron backscatter diffraction and in situ energy-dispersive diffraction with synchrotron radiation. Within this high temperature regime, the oxidation kinetics and scale microstructure were not significantly different from those encountered in the oxidation of ferrous polycrystals. Thus, epitaxial strains did not determine the stress state within the oxide scale. Relevant sources of growth stresses were inferred to be volumetric differences between the iron oxides in the early stages, and later, inner oxide formation, scale consumption as well as pore formation. These sources caused time-dependent stress cycles in magnetite and wüstite during oxidation. In the hematite layer stress cycles did not occur and creep appeared to be the predominant stress relieving mechanism. On cooling, the differences in thermal expansion caused residual stress gradients through the oxide scale.