TreeRM

Chinkapin oak

Quercus muehlenbergii · Fagaceae · also Chinquapin oak, Yellow chestnut oak

A stately white oak with coarsely toothed, chestnut-like leaves that turn yellow in fall. It is one of the few large oaks that prefers lime soils, which makes it a natural fit for Central Texas, and it is resistant to oak wilt and relatively pest-free. Grows 40-70 feet tall with a rounded crown.

Broadleaf, loses its leaves in winterMedium growthFull sunLow water
Chinkapin oak
Vojtěch Zavadil, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

This tree evolved here, and local wildlife depends on it.

  • 🇺🇸 United States · Also native in: CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, VT, WI, WV (USDA PLANTS distribution)source
  • 🇺🇸 AL, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 AR, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 FL, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 GA, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 LA, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 MS, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 NC, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 NM, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 OK, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 SC, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 TN, United Statessource
  • 🇺🇸 TX, United Statessource

Recommended

A city, utility or extension service lists it among the trees it approves for planting here.

  • 🇺🇸 San Jose, CA, United States · On the Our City Forest Community Nursery tree species listsource
  • 🇺🇸 Denver, CO, United States · On the Denver Office of the City Forester Approved Street Tree Listsource
  • 🇺🇸 Washington, DC, United States · On the Casey Trees Tree Rebate eligible species listsource
  • 🇺🇸 Austin, TX, United States · On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Oak, Chinquapin'; low water needs, provide deep soil.source
  • 🇺🇸 Dallas, TX, United States · On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree Listsource
  • 🇺🇸 Houston, TX, United States · On the City of Houston Planning and Development Department Street Tree Listsource

Care

Plant in deep soil with room to spread. Water weekly the first two summers; afterward it is quite drought tolerant. Prune to shape or raise the canopy as needed; oak wilt resistance means timing is less critical than for red oaks. Acorns drop every year and feed wildlife.

Benefits

ShadeFall colorWildlifeBirdsDrought tolerantLong lived

Good for

Street treeYard shadeparks

Watch out for

Large roots