Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria)
Identifying Features
Plant Family: Fagaceae
Native Range: Eastern and Central United States
Leaf: deciduous, alternate, simple, bristle tipped leaf margin smooth with no lobes
Twig and Bud: slender green-brown twigs, buds sharp-pointed
Flower, Fruit and Seed: acorns nearly round, take two years to develop
Bark: gray-brown with low ridges and shallow furrows
Shape and Mature Height: crown growing from conical to rounded with age, lower limbs droop downward, grows to 60 feet
Garden Value and Considerations
Shingle oak is tolerant of many different growing conditions. It should be grown in full sun. It has unlobed, willow-like leaves. Shingle oaks are stately trees that work well as shade or street trees.
Notes
Named for the straight, wide shingles early settlers split from the wood of this tree, shingle oaks are found through the state of Ohio and grow in a variety of habitats. They are the only oak with an unlobed smooth leaf margin, native to Ohio. The leaves often persist on the tree through winter.
Oaks benefit a wide variety of wildlife. Acorns provide an important source of energy and nutrition in the autumn and winter when other foods are less available. Acorns are such a significant food source that some animal species change where they spend time or adjust the size of their home range depending on the availability of acorns. Oak trees support many invertebrates which in turn become a source of food to many animals. Some oak-supported invertebrates provide pollination services for other plants.
