Chinquapin Oak
Quercus muehlenbergii
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Britton, Nathaniel Lord, 1859-1934; Brown, Addison, 1830-1913
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus muehlenbergii
- USDA Symbol:
- QUMU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- 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
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, squirrels, deer, wild turkey
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Thick bark on mature trees provides fire resistance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers calcareous soils often found in limestone regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Acorns have no deep dormancy and may germinate in fall if planted fresh. Cold stratification improves uniformity.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seed may be floated in water to determine viability. Discard seeds that float and retain those that sink. Acorns can be planted immediately after collection as they have little or no dormancy.
Establishment: Seeds are collected from established natural stands within the confines of Stones River National Battlefield or Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The Chinkapin oak is common throughout the eastern two-thirds of the continental United States with the exception of certain states. No conflicting information found in the protocols.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months * Chinquapin oak. The seeds were falling out easily from the cap. I was busy when I got home - just left them in a sealed baggy for 2 days at room temperature. 80% germinated in the 2 days.