Plant of the Week
January 6, 2007
Chinkapin Oak, Quercus muehlenbergii, is a 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