Chinkapin Oak
Quercus muehlenbergii
Also listed as Quercus acuminata, Quercus alexanderi
Also known as Chinquapin Oak, Yellow Oak, Yellow Chestnut Oak
Climate Match for your location
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A native oak tree with attractive gray-white bark and small leaves that turn golden-bronze in fall. Excellent for dry sites and limestone soils, it produces small acorns favored by wildlife.
Why grow it
Chinkapin oak tolerates drier conditions and alkaline soils better than most native oaks, making it useful where red or white oaks struggle. Its smaller stature (typically 40-50 feet) suits tighter spaces than larger oak species, while its acorn production still supports wildlife effectively. The gray-white bark provides winter interest without requiring the mature size of bur oak or the moisture demands of pin oak.
Watch out for
This species can be slow to establish and may require several years to develop a substantial root system; newly planted trees benefit from consistent moisture during the first two growing seasons. Growth rate varies significantly depending on soil quality, so productivity in marginal sites should not be assumed based on performance in ideal conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern and central United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A native oak tree with attractive gray-white bark and small leaves that turn golden-bronze in fall. Excellent for dry sites and limestone soils, it produces small acorns favored by wildlife.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Chinkapin Oak grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Chinkapin oak tolerates drier conditions and alkaline soils better than most native oaks, making it useful where red or white oaks struggle. Its smaller stature (typically 40-50 feet) suits tighter spaces than larger oak species, while its acorn production still supports wildlife effectively. The gray-white bark provides winter interest without requiring the mature size of bur oak or the moisture demands of pin oak.
Watch out for
This species can be slow to establish and may require several years to develop a substantial root system; newly planted trees benefit from consistent moisture during the first two growing seasons. Growth rate varies significantly depending on soil quality, so productivity in marginal sites should not be assumed based on performance in ideal conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern and central United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
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