Shingle Oak
Quercus imbricaria
Description:
The shingle oak is a distinct species with narrow, smooth-edged leaves with no lobes. Bark is similar to several other red oak species; leaves are unique from most other red oaks.
Distribution:
Central eastern US, extending from eastern Kansas to southern Michigan to North Carolina. The distribution is spotty around the outer edges of its range.
Habitat:
Moist upland soils and bottomlands, well-drained soil, not usually in swamps.
Leaf:
Oblong, 3 to 8" long, usually with no lobes. Resembles a laurel leaf. Sun leaves are wavy.
Bark:
Gray to dark gray, furrowed, sometimes blocky or scaly on mature trees.
Acorn:
Small, 1/2" to 3/4" with shallow caps that cover about 1/3 of the nut. Dark in color when ripe.
Gallery
Look-alike oaks:
Willow Oak - Leaves of both species have no lobes, but those of shingle oak are larger and broader, and acorns are usually larger.
Laurel Oak - Similar leaf shape, but laurel oak is a small tree of the deep south, where shingle oak is nearly absent.