Shingle Oak 10 Seeds Quercus imbricaria

Quercus imbricaria, commonly known as shingle oak, is a medium to large deciduous oak tree valued for its unusual unlobed leaves and strong adaptability, typically reaching 40 to 60 feet tall with a 30 to 50 foot spread, forming a broad, rounded to oval crown that provides dense shade. The trunk can grow 1½ to 3 feet in diameter, developing dark gray to nearly black bark that becomes ridged and furrowed with age. Its distinctive leaves are narrow, oblong to lance-shaped, measuring 4 to 8 inches long and about 1 to 2 inches wide, with smooth margins and a leathery texture, giving the tree a more willow-like appearance compared to most oaks; foliage emerges glossy green in spring, matures to deep green in summer, and turns muted yellow-brown to russet in fall. Inconspicuous yellow-green male catkins appear in spring at 2 to 4 inches long, while female flowers are small and less noticeable, later producing nearly round acorns about ½ to ¾ inch across, each set in a shallow cap that covers roughly one-third of the nut; acorns mature in two growing seasons and are an important wildlife food source. Twigs are slender, often ⅛ to ¼ inch thick, reddish-brown to gray, with small pointed buds around ⅛ inch long. This species develops a deep root system with a sturdy taproot when young, contributing to drought tolerance once established, and it thrives in a wide range of soils, including clay and moderately dry sites, though it also tolerates periodic flooding. Shingle oak is hardy, wind-firm, and pollution-tolerant, making it well suited for parks, large lawns, and street plantings where its moderate to fast growth rate of about 1 to 2 feet per year allows it to establish a substantial canopy within a couple of decades.