Quercus muehlenbergii
Chinkapin Oak
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 40-50' tall in the landscape usually with a greater width, can reach to 70-80' tall in wild. Weakly rounded in youth, open, rounded crown at maturity. Medium growth rate in youth, becoming slower with age.
Native Range
Vermont to Virginia, west to Nebraska, Mexico, Texas. Introduced 1822.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are pendulous yellow-green catkins. Fruits are 0.75-1" long acorns, globose-ovoid, subsessile or ovoid, with a thin cap.
Leaf and Bark Features
Leaves are alternate, simple, oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 4-6.5" long, dark green above. Yellow to orangish brown to brown fall color. Bark is ashy gray, more or less rough and flaky.
Culture and Care
Difficult to transplant, prefers alkaline soil in rich bottomlands or dry limestone outcrops. No seed pretreatment is necessary. Many specimens in western Kansas and Oklahoma indicate good drought tolerance. Zones (4)5-7. No serious disease or insect problems.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Attractive in old age with large, bold, scaly gray trunks and branches. Some mammoth specimens are actually inspiring.