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Quercus muehlenbergii

chinkapin oak

Fagaceae Central and eastern North America

Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–7

Overview

Quercus muehlenbergii is a deciduous oak of central and eastern North America in the white oak group, usually 40-70 feet (12-21 m) tall with an open, rounded crown and a trunk to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) across. The leaves are oblong to lance-shaped, 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) long, with coarse, evenly spaced teeth that end in small callus points rather than bristles, glossy yellow-green above and pale, finely hairy beneath. In autumn the foliage turns yellow to yellow-brown and orange. The flaky, light gray bark breaks into thin scales, paler than that of many associated oaks. Acorns are 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) long, dark brown, set in a thin shallow cup, and ripen in a single autumn; they are among the sweeter acorns and are taken by many birds and mammals. It grows on dry, alkaline limestone soils, bluffs, and slopes, and is slow-growing and difficult to transplant once established because of its deep root system.

Native Range

Native to central and eastern North America, from southern Ontario and the northeastern United States west to Wisconsin, Nebraska, and New Mexico, and south to Texas and into northeastern Mexico. It grows on dry, limestone-derived alkaline soils on bluffs, ridges, and well-drained slopes.

Suggested Uses

Used as a shade, lawn, and street tree, especially on alkaline soils where many oaks struggle, and in parks, wildlife plantings, and naturalized woodlands. Its size and deep roots make it less suited to small lots or planting close to buildings.

How to Identify

Identify chinkapin oak by its chestnut-like leaves, oblong with coarse rounded or pointed teeth that lack bristle tips, glossy yellow-green above and pale beneath. The flaky, ash-gray bark and sweet, shallow-cupped acorns help confirm it. Its toothed, non-lobed leaves separate it from many other oaks, while the bristle-free teeth distinguish it from chestnut (Castanea spp.), whose leaves have bristle-tipped teeth.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'

Width/Spread50' - 70'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Wind-pollinated flowers open in spring, usually April to May, as the leaves expand. Slender yellow-green male catkins hang from the shoots while tiny female flowers sit in the new leaf axils. Acorns develop over the summer and ripen in a single autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

yellow-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam rocky chalk clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on well-drained soils and tolerates dry, alkaline, limestone ground better than many oaks, though it also grows on neutral and slightly acidic soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-7 and withstands drought, heat, and urban conditions once established. Growth is slow to moderate, and young trees develop a deep taproot that makes transplanting difficult, so container or small balled stock establishes more readily. Wet, poorly drained sites and prolonged flooding harm the roots. It has few serious pests, though oak wilt and gall insects can affect it. Mature trees need little care beyond structural pruning when young.

Pruning

Pruning is most useful on young trees, to remove dead, crossing, or weak limbs and build a sound framework. The work is most safely done in the cool dormant season to limit the risk of oak wilt entering fresh cuts. Mature trees need only occasional removal of dead wood.