MPF, no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
Quercus imbricaria
shingle oak
Eastern and central United States (Pennsylvania to Iowa, south to Georgia and Arkansas); moist lowland forests, bottomlands, and stream valleys
Deer Resistant
Native to North America
Overview
Quercus imbricaria is a deciduous tree reaching 40–70 feet (12–21 m) tall and 40–60 feet (12–18 m) wide, with a pyramidal crown when young that matures to a broadly rounded canopy on a short trunk with wide-spreading branches. Leaves are oblong to lanceolate, 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) long, and fully unlobed with entirely smooth (entire) margins — a leaf shape infrequent among deciduous oaks, where lobed or toothed margins are typical. Leaves are glossy dark green above and paler and softly pubescent beneath, turning yellowish-brown to russet in autumn and remaining on the tree (marcescent) through much of winter before dropping. Acorns are small, 0.5–0.6 inch (13–15 mm), rounded, in shallow saucer-like cups, maturing over 2 years (red oak group). Growth rate is moderate. Hardy in USDA zones 4–8. The epithet imbricaria (imbricated, like overlapping shingles) refers to the historical use of the wood for split shingles. Alkaline soils produce iron chlorosis, the species does not thrive in hot dry sites, and the 40–60 foot (12–18 m) mature spread exceeds the footprint available in small gardens.
Native Range
Quercus imbricaria is native to the eastern and central United States, from Pennsylvania west to Iowa and south to Georgia and Arkansas, in moist lowland forests, bottomlands, and stream valleys.Suggested Uses
Planted as a shade or specimen tree at 30–40 foot (9–12 m) spacing in USDA zones 4–8, in large residential gardens, parks, and campus plantings. The fully unlobed smooth-margined leaves read as an atypical oak shape in educational and collection plantings, and the marcescent winter foliage extends seasonal visual interest into December and January. The species tolerates seasonally wet soils that exclude many other oaks. Alkaline soils, hot dry sites, and gardens smaller than the 40–60 foot (12–18 m) mature canopy spread are the main planting limitations.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread40' - 60'
Reaches mature size in approximately 35 years
Bloom Information
Produces inconspicuous catkins in April and May. Small rounded acorns 0.5–0.6 inch (13–15 mm) in shallow saucer cups mature over 2 years (red oak group). Marcescent yellowish-brown to russet foliage persists through much of winter, providing winter texture.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy dark green above, paler and softly pubescent beneath; oblong to lanceolate 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) long; entirely smooth (entire) margins without teeth or lobes; yellowish-brown to russet autumn color; marcescent through much of winterGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun in moist, well-drained acidic to neutral loam, clay, or silty soil at pH 5.0–7.0. Hardy in USDA zones 4–8. The species tolerates wet soils and periodic inundation, consistent with its native range in bottomlands and floodplains. Alkaline soils induce interveinal iron chlorosis and progressive decline. Transplanting success is higher than for most oaks, so the species can be established from bare-root or B&B stock more reliably than Quercus alba or Quercus rubra. Marcescent foliage persists into winter before dropping in late winter.Pruning
Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant. Structural pruning during the first 10–15 years establishes a central leader and raises the canopy above pedestrian or vehicular clearance. The low-branching habit of many specimens requires systematic limbing up to produce a walkable canopy. Remove dead or crossing branches only after establishment.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter