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Vick, Albert F. W.
Quercus montana
Quercus montana Willd.
Chestnut Oak, Rock Chestnut Oak, Mountain Chestnut Oak, Rock Oak, Tanbark Oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Synonym(s): Quercus prinus
USDA Symbol: QUMO4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A medium to large tree, 65 - 145 feet (19.8 - 44.2 m), broad open and irregular crown, chestnut like foliage. BARK: dark reddish- brown to dark gray, mature bark with deep v-shaped furrows producing broad ridges. TWIGS and BUDS: stout twigs, dark green to reddish-brown; light brown to reddish-brown ovoid bud, pointed apex, bud scales may have slight pubescence. LEAVES: yellow petiole 3⁄8 - 1 1⁄4 inches (10 - 32 mm) long; leaf blade obovate, 4 3⁄4 - 8 inches (121 - 203 mm) long, 2 3⁄8 - 4 inches (60 - 101 mm) wide, margins have 10 - 14 rounded teeth, base subacute, apex broadly acuminate; thick firm blade, shiny dark yellowish-green above, light green with slight pubescence along veins below.
This species is commonly referred to as Q. prinus in forestry literature.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Obovate
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: To about 140 feet in height.
Leaf: Leaves shiny dark yellowish-green above, light green with slight pubescence along veins below.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Acorns annual; 1 - 2 acorns on peduncle 3⁄8 - 1 inch (10 - 25 mm) long; cup has gray scales - 66 - with red tips, pubescent inner surface, encloses 1⁄3 - 1⁄2 of nut; chestnut-brown, long oval nut, 3⁄4 - 1 1⁄2 inches (19 - 38 mm) long.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WVNative Distribution: Extreme S. Ontario to SW. Maine, south to Georgia, west to NE. Mississippi, and north to SE. Michigan; at 1500-5000 (457-1524 m). Southern Ontario, south to Louisiana, east to Georgia, and north to Maine.
Native Habitat: Sandy, gravelly, and rocky dry upland soils, but reaches greatest size on well-drained lowland sites; often in pure stands on dry rocky ridges.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Loam, Sand
Benefit
Use Ornamental: As a shade tree, it is adapted to dry rocky soil.Use Wildlife: Acorns provide a food source for turkey, rough grouse, songbirds, deer, and small mammals.
Use Other: Because of its high tannin content, the bark formerly served for tanning leather. The wood is marketed as White Oak.
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | UPL | UPL | FACU | UPL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Quercus montana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Quercus montana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus montana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-04Research By: Joseph A. Marcus