Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is not a very commonly grown landscape tree, which is a pity because it makes a beautiful shade tree. It can be grown in a wide climate range and in tough locations. In the wild, it grows on dry bluffs and limestone outcrops as well as ridge tops and rocky, south-facing slopes. When young, the tree has a pyramidal shape that becomes broader and more rounded as the tree matures. The sweet acorns provide a food source for wildlife such as squirrels, chipmunks, deer, turkey, and other birds. While it can be grown on very dry, poor soils, chinkapin oak takes a more shrubby appearance in these tough locations.
Light
Chinkapin oak needs full sun, at least 6 hours direct sunlight per day.
Soil
The tree can be grown in all types of soil, but it prefers well-drained soil, and a pH from weakly acid to alkaline.
Water
Like all newly planted trees, in the absence of rain, a young newly transplanted chinkapin oak needs to be watered at least weekly during the first growing season. Established chinkapin oak tolerates dry soil and does not need watering except in an extended drought.
Temperature and Humidity
The native habitat of of the tree is a large geographical area as far north as New England and as far south as northeastern Mexico. It is highly adaptable to a a wide range of climate conditions and can grow both in locations with subzero winters as well as in hot, humid climates.
Fertilizer
Chinkapin oak can grow even in poor soils and needs no fertilization. Just because it is a hardy tree doesn’t mean you should neglect it. Occasional mulching can be helpful.
Types of Chinkapin Oak
There are no cultivars of chinkapin oak, but there is dwarf chinkapin oak or dwarf chestnut oak, also a native. It that can be grown as a large shrub or small tree that reaches 12 to 25 ft. in height and 12 to 25 ft. in width. It is a a different species (Quercus prinoides) whose growing conditions are very similar to chinkapin oak, and with a similar leaf and fall color.
Pruning
Except for removing crossing, broken or diseased branches, the tree does not require pruning. Only prune while the tree is dormant and not during the growing season, as it stresses the tree and makes it more susceptible to oak wilt.
How to Grow Chinkapin Oak From Seed
To successfully grow chinkapin oak from acorns, collect them immediately after they dropped. Place them in a bowl of cold water; viable seeds will sink to the bottom while those with low viability will float. Discard those and plant the viable acorns right away to achieve optimum germination rate. If you store the acorns over the winter, the germination rate can drop from over 90 precent to less than 50 percent. Plant the acorns sideways 3/4 to 1 inch deep in pots first or directly in their permanent location. Water them with at least 1 inch of water every week if it doesn’t rain. Cover the soil with 2 to 3 inches of mulch or straw, which will help suppress weeds and protect the seedlings against frost heave. The acorns will soon start germinating, then growth will stop during cold weather and restart in the spring. Be very careful when pulling weeds so that you don’t uproot the tender seedlings.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
As a native tree, chinkapin oak is relatively resistant to insects and diseases. But when the tree is under stress, such as from too much or too little water, soggy or compacted soil, or road salt, it can be affected by disease. One of the most damaging is the fungus oak wilt, which kills the tree in fewer than a few years. Other diseases include cankers, shoestring root rot, anthracnose, and leaf blister. An infestation with gypsy moth and orange-striped oakworm, and the variable oakleaf caterpillar can defoliate the tree.
