Shingle Oak
Arbor Walk #85, TreeKeeper ID #2263
This atypical oak lacks the normal lobed leaf structure seen in other oak species. Its common name derives from the fact that early settlers in the Midwest often used wood from the tree to shingle their roofs. This oak’s acorns drop every other year and have large caps that cover the ½ inch fruit. While it is commonly found in the Ohio River Valley, the tree grows natively from Pennsylvania to Missouri, and is a very popular shade tree because it is considered to be low-maintenance and adaptable to a wide range of conditions.
| Common Name | Shingle Oak |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Quercus imbricaria |
| Indigenous Name(s) | |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 S. Big Bend Blvd, 44.98 m | 7001 Northmoor Dr., 45.57 m | 7007 Northmoor Dr., 74.55 m |
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Paperbark Maple, 7.45 m | Paperbark Maple, 8.59 m | Paperbark Maple, 13.52 m |
Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Caliper (m) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 25.7686 | 101.91 | N/A | 22.82 | 17.46 | 20.14 |
| 2023 | 28.25 | 104.9 | N/A | 24.3 | 13.6 | 18.95 |
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Grey and green lichen, moss and algae are all present |
Leaf Identification
The leaves of the Shingle Oak are simple (no leaflets), alternately arranged, and unlobed with an awn (bristle) at the tip. The leaves are a glossy green above and olive green and hairy below.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twig matures from green to tan, featuring very small lenticels (pores). The buds are reddish-brown when mature and scaled. The terminal buds are clustered.
Bark Identification
The bark is light gray with thick, undulating ridges, forming furrows of varied width.
Fruit Identification
The fruit of the Shingle Oak is an acorn. The acorn is up to 3/4″ in diameter, rounded, and with a shallow cup of tan scales. The nut may develop stripes upon maturity. The cup is widest halfway down the scales. The acorns ripen in mid-fall.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Shingle Oak are monoecious; both male and female flowers exist separately on the same tree. The staminate (male) flowers are greenish-yellow catkins (long, slender unisexual flower clusters) that hang down from the branch. The pistillate (female) flowers are much smaller, pink-tinged green clusters that do not dangle. The flowers bloom in spring.
Oak ID Tips
- The Shingle Oak is most recognizable for its combination of oak-exclusive acorns and unusual unlobed leaves.
- The Willow Oak is another Midwestern oak with unlobed and smooth-margin leaves. The Shingle Oak can be differentiated by its longer, wider leaves (4″-7″ long for Shingle Oak, 2″-5″ long for Willow Oak). Typically, the Shingle Oak has darker leaves but this may vary by tree.
