Chinkapin Oak

Chinkapin Oak

Quercus muhlenbergii

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

▲ young tree

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ buds

▲ ▼ acorns

Location on Missouri State University campus: in retention basin area at southwest corner of National and Grand

Quercus muehlenbergii: Chinkapin Oak

• leaves alternate, deciduous, simple, ovate to lanceolate and shallowly lobed; dark green above, white pubescent underneath; 4-6.5" long and 1/3-1/2 as wide; leaves tend to hang vertically from twigs
• stems brown, shiny, slender
• bark gray and rough and scaly
• grows 40-50' tall and rounded open habit
• prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils, but tolerates dry, clayey soils and wide pH range
• acorn is dark-brown to black 2 to 1" long and enclosed 2 by thin cap
• medium growth rate
• native to Missouri (including Springfield)