Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria)
KWER-kus im-bri-KAY-rih-ah

Deciduous Perennial Tree in the Fagaceae Family

Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria) is a handsome, deciduous tree with a distinctive appearance that evolves over time. In its youth, the tree displays a symmetrical, pyramidal crown, but as it matures, it assumes a broad, rounded outline, reaching 50-80 feet in height, though it can grow taller. The lance-shaped leaves are shiny and lack the deeply cut lobes characteristic of many oak species, giving the foliage a unique look. In autumn, the leaves transform into a striking display of yellow-brown to russet-red hues that persist into the winter months.

The species name "imbricaria" and the common name "Shingle Oak" both refer to the historical use of the tree's wood for shingles by pioneers, a practice that continues today. Beyond its ornamental value, Shingle Oak is also prized as a shade tree and is well-suited for use in hedges, screens, and windbreaks, making it a versatile and valuable addition to the landscape. The tree's adaptability to a range of soil conditions and its stately, ever-changing appearance make it a popular choice for both residential and public settings.

Pros

  • Long-lived, iconic trees are a cultural symbol of strength and endurance.
  • Oaks provide shade, cooling homes, streets and yards during warmer months.
  • Oaks have lustrous leaves during the growing season, and many have attractive fall leaf colors.
  • Oaks have unrivaled ecological value, providing food and habitat to more animals than any other plant...  If you can, plant an oak tree!

Cons

  • Most oaks mature to be large trees, so make sure you have enough space so you're not cramping your oak tree's style.
  • Oaks tend to be slow-growing.  Even more than most trees, oaks are an investment in the future.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 50 - 80 feet tall. 25 - 30 feet wide.
Growth Rate Slow
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium : Moderate, Well Drained
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Deciduous, Full Sun, Medium, Medium, Perennial, Tree Deer Resistant Trees, Fall Color Trees, Fast Growing Trees, Hardwood Trees, Shade Trees, Tall Trees
 

Most Popular Plants

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More Info from Experts

Shingle Oak in Winter
Canopy of a Shingle Oak in Winter
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!