Shingle oak is a small to medium sized tree with a rather broad rounded crown. It is a member of the broad red oak group (red, black, blackjack, pin, northern pin and shingle), although when first observed, one would not guess that it is a oak tree. The leaves are not lobed, but are alternate, regular shaped, broadest near the middle with a slightly wavy margin, shiny dark green on the upper surface, with a less shiny lower surface. The leaf is tipped with a short slender bristle.

The slender, dark green and shiny branches are tipped with multiple buds which are egg shaped, pointed at the tip, covered with closely overlapping, light brown scales. The bark on twigs is light brown, smooth and shiny; with age it becomes ridged, fissured and scaly when older. The fruit is an acorn maturing in two years, 1/2 inch long, rounded and covered about halfway with a turban-shaped cup. 

Shingle oak is a common tree of the central and eastern U.S. from Pennsylvania to northeastern Alabama and west as far as Kansas. In Iowa it is widely distributed in the southern one third of the state and most common in the eastern portion of its range. It is a well adapted species, growing on a wide variety of sites from dry uplands to moist bottom lands. Some of its common associates include oaks, hawthorns, white ash, black cherry, basswood on upland sites and elms, green ash, black ash, silver maple, hackberry walnut, and pin oak on bottom land sites. 

Shingle oak is a slow grower, but makes an excellent street or shade tree, attaining heights of 50 to 60 feet. It is a good choice for the southern half of Iowa. It does have a higher iron requirement than some of the other oaks, and will show iron deficiency symptoms on soils with a high pH. Fall color is variable from reddish or yellow brown to dull brown. The leaves are more persistent than many other oak species. 

The lumber of shingle oak is unimportant as a commercial timber tree, although it will be harvested if of sawlog size. The wood is not distinguished from other red oaks. Settlers discovered that it split easily and could be used for shingles or shakes, thus its common name.

Where can you get information?--Contact Paul H. Wray at (515) 294-1168 or write:

Native Trees of Iowa
ISU Forestry Extension
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
339 Science II
Ames, Iowa 50011-3221