Quercus montana (syn. Q. prinus) - Chestnut Oak

This oak variety is distinguished by its massively ridged bark, and wide growth habit; foliage is chestnut-like, oval, toothed, with whitish undersides; ideal as a shade tree in home landscapes; extremely tough and adaptable

Height: 70 feet. Spread: 70 feet. Sun: full sun. Hardiness zone: 4a.

Ornamental features

Chestnut Oak has dark green deciduous foliage on a tree with a round habit of growth. The serrated oval leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. It produces brown acorns in late summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

Landscape

Chestnut Oak is a dense deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting squirrels to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

Recommended for: Shade, Vertical Accent.

Planting and growing

Chestnut Oak will grow to be about 70 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 70 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 300 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.