Shingle Oak

The Shingle Oak(Quercus imbricaria), Also known as the laurel oak, the shingle oak is a tree in the Fagaceae family. Its name originates from its historical use by French settlers in Illinois, who crafted wooden shingles from its wood.

A tree with late-deciduous or marcescent* foliage, the shingle oak reaches a height of 15 to 20 meters and features a rounded, oblong, and densely branched crown. Young shingle oaks have a pyramidal shape. Its leaves, 7 to 20 cm long, are typically broader toward the middle. The tree produces acorns measuring 0.9 to 1.8 cm in length and 1 to 1.8 cm in width. These acorns, ovoid in shape, mature over two years and are housed in saucer-shaped cups measuring 0.5 to 0.9 cm in height and 1 to 1.8 cm in width, which may cover up to half of the acorn.

Geographic Distribution

The natural range of the shingle oak spans the eastern United States, including: Arkansas, North Carolina, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.

Uses of the Shingle Oak

The wood of the shingle oak is hard, coarse-grained, and light reddish-brown. It is suitable for construction and lumber production.

Historically, shingle oak wood was used for making roofing shingles.

Unique Characteristics

The shingle oak was introduced to Europe in 1786 by British botanist John Fraser. It thrives particularly well on the European mainland, where it benefits from warm summer climates.

This tree is also valued as an ornamental species due to its marcescent foliage, which turns yellow-brown and may remain on the tree throughout winter.

*Marcescent foliage refers to leaves that dry in autumn but remain attached to the plant until the new growth in the following spring.

Visual © D.R.