Quercus imbricaria (Shingle Oak)

Quercus imbricaria (Shingle Oak) is a large deciduous tree with a pyramidal crown in youth, becoming rounded to broadly spreading with age. Its narrow, oblong, lustrous dark green leaves are unusual among oaks because they are unlobed. Emerging with a reddish tint in spring, the foliage matures to deep green before turning yellow-brown to russet-red in fall. The leaves often persist well into winter, adding movement and texture as they rustle in the wind. Inconspicuous yellow-green catkins appear in spring as the new foliage emerges. The brownish-gray bark develops shallow furrows with age, giving the trunk and spreading branches additional winter interest.

The oval acorns mature in the fall of their second year and provide an important food source for birds and small mammals. Relatively easy to transplant for an oak, Shingle Oak is valued as both an ornamental and shade tree. Its dense branching habit also makes it useful for hedges, screens, and windbreaks where there is sufficient space.

The oak genus includes many beloved trees, such as Live Oak, White Oak, Red Oak, Blue Oak, Bur Oak, and Pin Oak.

Oaks support an exceptionally wide range of butterfly and moth larvae. Species associated with oaks include the Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Edward’s Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album), Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius), and Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis). The acorns also provide valuable food for wildlife, including birds and mammals.

• Grows up to 40-60 ft. tall and wide (12-18 m).
• A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in rich, humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils. It is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, including relatively dry soils, and shows useful drought tolerance once established.
• Well suited as a specimen tree, shade tree, screen, hedge, or windbreak in large landscapes.
• Generally has good pest resistance. Oaks may be affected by oak wilt, chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, anthracnose, oak leaf blister, canker, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
• Toxic to horses if significant quantities of leaves or acorns are consumed.
• Native to the eastern and central United States.