Chinquapin Oak
Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
A stately and elegant native oak, ChinquapinOak combines durability, wildlife value, and ornamental appeal. It’s a great choice for landscapes needing a long-lived centerpiece tree that handles tough sites, especially where soils trend alkaline or rocky.
Key Attributes & Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Mature Size | 40–60 ft tall (occasionally to 80 ft), with a spread often 50–70 ft. missouribotanicalgarden.org+2srs.fs.usda.gov+2 |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate. Natural Resources+2missouribotanicalgarden.org+2 |
| Form / Habit | Young trees often pyramidal or oval; mature specimens form a rounded, open crown. The Morton Arboretum+2missouribotanicalgarden.org+2 |
| Leaves | Alternate, simple, with coarse teeth or lobing. 4–7 in long, glossy green above, paler or slightly hairy below. The Morton Arboretum+2missouribotanicalgarden.org+2 |
| Fall Color | Yellow to orange-brown, sometimes bronze tones. Beechwood+3missouribotanicalgarden.org+3The Morton Arboretum+3 |
| Flowers & Fruit | Monoecious. Male catkins and tiny female flowers in spring. Acorns (~½ to ¾ in) mature in fall; cup covers about half the nut. kansasforests.org+3Missouri Department of Conservation+3missouribotanicalgarden.org+3 |
| Soil & Site Preferences | Well-drained soils; tolerates dry, rocky, calcareous, alkaline soils. Performs in average loams too. arborday.org+5srs.fs.usda.gov+5missouribotanicalgarden.org+5 |
| Light | Full sun preferred. Tolerates partial shade when young, but less so with maturity. The Morton Arboretum+3Wikipedia+3missouribotanicalgarden.org+3 |
| Hardiness / Climate | Generally hardy in USDA zones ~5–7 (and beyond in many cases). missouribotanicalgarden.org+2arborday.org+2 |
| Wildlife Value | Acorns are sweet and favored by squirrels, birds (turkeys, jays), deer, and other mammals. arborday.org+4Wikipedia+4missouribotanicalgarden.org+4 |
Culture & Care
Planting: Choose a site with ample space (allow for its future crown). Ensure good drainage. Given its limestone and calcareous soil tolerance, it is a good choice for alkaline or rocky sites. missouribotanicalgarden.org+4The Morton Arboretum+4srs.fs.usda.gov+4
Watering: Young trees should be watered regularly during establishment. Once established, Chinkapin Oak is quite drought tolerant. The Spruce+2arborday.org+2
Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed. Remove dead, crossing, or weak branches in the dormant season to reduce stress. Avoid heavy pruning during active growth to limit risk of disease or stress.
Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to typical oak issues: oak wilt, anthracnose, leaf blister, root rot, borers, and various caterpillars. Missouri Department of Conservation+4missouribotanicalgarden.org+4The Morton Arboretum+4
Wildlife / Mess: Acorn drop may create some litter, but this tends to be a benefit for wildlife users rather than a liability.
Longevity: Oaks are long-lived; this species can last many decades when well sited and cared for.
Uses & Landscape Value
Specimen Tree: Works beautifully as a focal tree in large gardens, parks, or naturalized landscapes.
Dry or Challenging Sites: One of the better oaks for shallow, rocky, or alkaline soils where many trees struggle.
Wildlife / Ecological Planting: Valuable in restoration or habitat plantings because of its acorns and support of insect communities.
Shade / Canopy: Over time, provides significant canopy cover and structure.