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Plant of the Week
January 6, 2007
Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
Chinkapin Oak, Quercus muehlenbergii, isa good-looking
medium to large shade tree suitable for use in much of Texas. Its unique saw-tooth
leaves, which resemble those of the chinquapin tree found in the eastern United
States, are rich green, turning yellow to bronze in the fall. It grows in the
wild on well-drained bottomland soils and on limestone hills near water. It's
adaptable to a range of soils and exposures. It's moderate to fast-growing and
develops an open rounded crown as it ages.
| Common Name: Chinkapin Oak |
| Tree Size: Large |
| Leaf Type: Deciduous |
| Growth Rate: Moderate |
| Water Needs: Moderate |
| Tolerances: Drought, alkaline soils (pH
> 7.5) |
| Attributes: Texas native, reliable fall
color, seeds or fruit eaten by wildlife |
| Features: Attractive, light-colored bark;
deep green leaf color creates a lush appearance. |
| Comments: Good for limestone
soils; excellent shade tree! |
| Problems: Fallen acorns can be a nuisance. |
For further discussion and more in-depth information on Chinkapin
Oaks, please visit these links:
From El Paso to Texarkana: New Texas Superstar Oak Shines in Adaptability
http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/HORT/Oct1104a.htm
Chinkapin Oak: An Excellent Native Texas Shade Tree
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/oakchinkapin/oakchinkapin.html