Quercus muehlenbergii Engelm.

Chinquapin Oak; Yellow Chestnut Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Chinquapin Oak is a native deciduous tree in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It is scattered throughout most of Alabama, occurring in area with calcareous soils. Chinquapin Oak is a medium to large tree reaching heights of 90 feet. The bark is light gray, breaking into thin plates. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, elliptic to lanceolate in outline, leathery in texture, with regularly toothed margins. The upper surface of the leaf is shiny and dark green. The lower surface of the leaf is gray-glaucous with minute 6-10 rayed stellate hairs. The leaves turn yellow-brown before falling. Male flowers are produced in drooping yellow-green catkins. Female flowers are 1-2 and sessile. The fruit is a nut. The acorn matures in one year. The bowl-shaped cup encloses ¼-1/2 of the acorn. Chinquapin Oak acorns are thin shelled and sweet. They are consumed by many species of wildlife. Chinquapin Oak is available from nurseries specializing in wildlife plants. It prefers a well-draining loamy soil in full sun. Once established, trees are drought tolerant.--A. Diamond

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Native

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