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Chestnut Oak

Quercus montana

Also known as: Rock Oak

Defining ridge-top oak of the eastern Appalachian uplands. Deeply furrowed dark blocky bark and chestnut-like wavy-edged leaves. Sweet acorns prized by wildlife. Formerly *Q. prinus*.

Family

Fagaceae

Type

tree

Lifespan

perennial

Height

50–70 ft

Spacing

50–70 ft apart

Light

part shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

March, April, May

Bloom colors

yellow, green

Wildlife value

butterflies, pollinators, mammals, songbirds, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~557 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

specimen

Native states

AL, CT, DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV