It’s November, the transitional month between autumn and winter. Most trees are now shedding their autumn leaves, leaving only their silhouettes behind. But not the Tree of the Month, Quercus imbricaria—the shingle oak. This species holds onto its beautifully yellow-brown to red autumn foliage well into winter, giving the shorter, darker days a warm glow.
Place of Origin
The shingle oak is native to the eastern and central United States, where it grows in forests along rivers as well as in so-called oak savannas. Its common name refers to the shingles that early settlers made from its wood. This oak grows slowly, reaching up to 20 meters in height with a straight central leader. When young, it has a pyramidal, semi-open crown, which becomes oval to rounded and up to 18 meters wide at maturity.
An Oak with Distinctive Leaves
The shingle oak flowers in May with drooping, golden-yellow catkins. After flowering, brown, striking acorns appear. Its leaves are small, glossy, and dark green, but often not recognized as oak leaves. Unlike many other oaks, the shingle oak’s oval leaves are not lobed but entire, with a slightly wavy edge. In autumn, the dark green foliage turns a rich yellow-brown to orange-red and remains on the tree deep into winter. Ecologically, the shingle oak is valuable as a nectar source for bees and as a food source for birds and small mammals.
Wide Range of Uses
The shingle oak prefers full sun and thrives in moist but well-drained, acidic soils, though it also grows in slightly alkaline, dry soils. In fact, the hot continental European summers even promote healthy growth. Once well-established, it can withstand wet conditions and short-term flooding. The shingle oak is especially well-suited for parks, green belts, avenues, and gardens, though—with the right underground soil structure—it can also be successfully planted in squares and plazas.
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