# Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)

> 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.

Source: https://treerm.org/trees/quercus-muehlenbergii · Updated 2026-11-08 · License CC BY 4.0

## Facts

- Also called: Chinquapin oak, Yellow chestnut oak
- Family: Fagaceae
- Type: Broadleaf, loses its leaves in winter
- Mature height: 18 m; spread 12 m
- Growth: Medium growth
- USDA hardiness zones: 3 to 8
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Soil: Limestone and other alkaline, well-drained soils; rocky or sandy sites are fine; prefers deep soil to reach full size
- Native range: Eastern and central North America from Ontario to northeastern Mexico, across central Texas and into the Trans-Pecos

**Benefits:** Shade, Fall color, Wildlife, Birds, Drought tolerant, Long lived

**Good for:** Street tree, Yard shade, parks

**Watch out for:** Large roots

## 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.

## Where it stands

- **Native:** 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)); AL, United States; AR, United States; FL, United States; GA, United States; LA, United States; MS, United States; NC, United States; NM, United States; OK, United States; SC, United States; TN, United States; TX, United States
- **Recommended:** San Jose, CA, United States (On the Our City Forest Community Nursery tree species list); Denver, CO, United States (On the Denver Office of the City Forester Approved Street Tree List); Washington, DC, United States (On the Casey Trees Tree Rebate eligible species list); 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.); Dallas, TX, United States (On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree List); Houston, TX, United States (On the City of Houston Planning and Development Department Street Tree List)

## Sources

- https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMU
- https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUMU
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/quercus-muehlenbergii/
- https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/oak-chinquapin
- https://www.treefolks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NeighborWoodsTreeMenu-2026.pdf