Shingle Oak
Quercus imbricaria
- Native to:
- United States
Photo by David J. Stang
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus imbricaria
- USDA Symbol:
- QUIM
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cameraria bethunella, Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Orange-tipped oakworm moth (Anisota senatoria), Phyllonorycter aeriferella, Pink-striped oakworm moth (Anisota virginiensis), Tischeria castaneaeella, Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth (Lochmaeus manteo)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer
- Fall Color:
- yellow, russet brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire. Historically maintained in oak-hickory savannas by periodic fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers bottomland and floodplain areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Acorns should be planted fresh in fall or cold stratified. They have low viability if allowed to dry out.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Source: Claude AI