Shingle Oak
Quercus imbricaria
- Native to:
- United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © dripping_with_nectar (iNaturalist #345551919)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus imbricaria
- USDA Symbol:
- QUIM
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow-green
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- 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, mammals, butterflies
- Fall Color:
- red, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick bark provides some fire resistance; can resprout after low-severity 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 — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy; sow in fall or after stratification.
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
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)