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Quercus imbricaria

Quercus imbricaria

Shingle Oak

Description

Quercus imbricaria (Shingle Oak) is native to the eastern and central United States, where it grows in forests along rivers, along with other species including Celtis occidentalis and Maclura pomifera. The shingle oak was discovered by John Fraser, a Scottish botanist in service of the Russian empress Catharine the Great, in 1786. The name single oak refers to the shingles that the first colonists made using the wood of the tree. Quercus imbricaria is a slow-growing oak, which can reach up to 20 metres in height, with a continuous rachis. In its early years, the tree has a pyramid-shaped, semi-open crown, which becomes round and up to 18 metres wide at an older age.

Quercus imbricaria blooms hanging, golden yellow catkins in May. After blooming, the tree produces striking brown acorns. Its leaves are small and a glossy dark green, but are usually not recognised as oak leaves. In contrast to many other oak trees, the oval leaves of the shingle oak are not lobate; they have smooth margins with a somewhat undulating edge. In autumn, the dark green leaves beautifully turn yellow-brown to orange-red and stay on the tree until deep into winter. Quercus imbricaria is an ecologically valuable species. 

The shingle oak prefers to grow in direct sunlight and prefers moist but well-drained, acidic soil, though the tree can also grow in slightly alkaline, dry soil. The hot, continental European summers even benefit its growth. When the tree has properly taken root, it can also easily handle wet environments and brief floods, which certainly also makes the species suitable for use in wadi. The shingle oak does not like compaction or closed pavement. Quercus imbricaria is particularly a good tree for gardens, parks, central reservations and avenues, though planting on a square - with a proper underground growth habitat - is also definitely an option.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees shade trees characteristic trees

Topiary on stem

fval roof-trained fval multi-stem umbrella fval espalier fval pleached

Use

Location

avenue square park central reservation large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside bioswale

Pavement

none none open open

Planting concepts

prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

18 - 20 m

Width

15 - 18 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 9A

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds small mammals

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerant to short-term flooding

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Quercus imbricaria? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

Magnify

Seasonal colours

Quercus imbricaria seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

catkins pendulous

Flower colour

golden yellow

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green underside pale green

Leaves

deciduous ovoid leathery polished underside hairy undulate

Autumn colour

yellow-brown orange orange-red

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

striking acorn

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-brown

Twigs

hairy bare

Root system

Root system

deep extensive tap root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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