Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fagaceae

Genus:

Quercus

Species:

Quercus ellipsoidalis

USDA Symbol:

QUEL

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Tree

Height:

2000 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals, deer, turkey, squirrels

Fall Color:

red, scarlet, bronze

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire; adapted to fire-prone oak savanna and sand plain ecosystems of the upper Midwest.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

Thrives in sandy or rocky uplands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Acorns germinate readily after cold stratification; sow in fall for natural stratification or cold-moist stratify at 33-40°F.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI