Quercus imbricaria

Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to Nebraska and Arkansas

Pyramidal in youth, becoming rounded.

Moist, rich, acid, well-drained soils in full sun; adapts to drier conditions, tolerant of alkaline soils.

The wood of Quercus imbricaria is used for shingles, hence its comon name. It tolerates some city conditions, and has been used as a lawn, street, park, or golf course tree. It tolerates heave pruning and can be trained as a screen or hedge. It transplants with less difficulty than other oaks. The leaves persist through the winter so it makes quite an effective screen.

Lustrous green glabrous top, with pubescent underside. Alternate, simple, 2.5 to 6 inches long, oblong or lanceolate, bristle-tipped apex, entire margin straight or wavey; persists while dormant. Acorns mature in two years.

Buds are brown, .125 inches long.

Gray-brown.

Insignificant monoecious yellowish-green flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring as the leaves emerge.

Nut (acorn) about .75 inches with involucre (cup) covering half to one-third of nut. Acorns mature in two years.

Seed.