Species shingle oak
green foliage with brown stems

shingle oak

Quercus imbricaria

Shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria) is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a rounded crown. It is native to the eastern United States and can grow up to 98 feet tall. Its thick, gray-brown bark projects outward in distinctive ridges. Leaves are broadly oval, dark green and shiny above, and light green and hairy below. Flowers are inconspicuous and appear in the spring. The fruit are pea-sized, light brown acorns. Shingle oak is an excellent choice for larger residential landscapes, providing shade and beauty. It is both disease and pest-resistant, as well as tolerant of moderate drought.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Budding

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Yellowish-green Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,yellow,orange

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Shingle oak should be watered deeply about once a week, typically with 10-15 gallons of water per tree. It is important to ensure that the soil is moistened to at least 3 feet deep. However, during periods of extreme heat or drought, additional watering may be needed. It is best to water in the early morning or early evening when there is no direct sunlight. Avoid watering late in the day, as it can encourage fungal growth in the soil. Mulching the soil around the tree with organic materials is also recommended. This will help retain moisture and provide added nutrition to the tree.

sunlight

Shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria) does best when grown in full sun. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight is recommended each day throughout the growing season. This type of oak tree also prefers acidic, well-drained soil with regular watering. During summertime, it is advisable to water the tree regularly to keep the soil moist, and over-fertilization should be avoided. Planting it in an area that is sheltered from strong winds is also advisable.

pruning

Shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria) is a member of the beech family and is a deciduous tree. Pruning can help maintain its size, reduce the risk of disease, and improve its structure. It is best to prune shingle oak trees during late winter or early spring. This will ensure that the wounds have time to heal before the summer growing season begins. When pruning shingle oaks, remove only small to medium-sized branches that are dead, diseased, or damaged. Cut the branches back to a branching point or to where the new growth begins. Be sure to avoid cutting into the bark as this can damage the tree. When pruning back larger branches, it is important to cut them gradually. This reduces the risk of shock to the tree. Also, be sure to use pruning techniques that encourage the growth of healthy branches, such as thinning or pollarding. It is important to keep in mind that shingle oaks can be affected by over-pruning; prune only what is necessary and avoid cutting away too much of the tree. With proper pruning, a shingle oak can live for many years.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Shingle oak typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map