Chinkapin Oak

Chinkapin Oak

Order: Fagales

Family: Fagaceae

Genus: Quercus

Species: Q. muehlenbergii

Indentifying characteristics:

- Deciduous tree reaching 30 m tall

- bark: scaly or flaky

- leaves: coarsely toothed, 5-15 cm long and 4-8 cm broad

- acorns: 1.5-2 cm long and become mature in about 6 months. Chestnut brown to nearly black

Special adaptations:

- generally found on well-drained upland soils derived from limestone. Also found on soils that are weakly acid (pH 6.5)

- Chinkapin is monoecious (having both male and female parts). Flowers emerge in April to late May or early June. The fruit, and acorn, grows singly or in pairs and matures in one year and ripens in September or October.

-The acorns provide an excellent source of food for both wildlife and people. The acorns are eaten by squirrels, mice, voles, chipmunks, deer, turkey, and other birds