Habitat

• native to eastern and central United States
• zone 3

Habit and Form

• a medium-sized, deciduous tree
• 40 to 50' tall
• 50' to 60' wide
• widespreading, rounded crown
• medium texture
• moderate growth rate

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement
• simple, deciduous leaves
• dentate leaf margins
• lanceolate leaf shape
• 4" to 6" long
• whitish tomentose on leaf underside
• shiny, dark green leaf color

Autumn Foliage

• yellow fall color
• showy
• color develops late
• color is long lasting

Flowers

• monoecious
• male flowers are pendulous yellow-green catkins
• blooms in May
• messy

Fruit

• ovoid acorn
• up to 1" long
• half of nut is enclosed in the involucre
• acorns mature in a single season
• fruit can be numerous

Bark

• white or light gray, flaky bark

Culture

• full sun
• prefers rich, well-drained, acidic soil
• transplant at a small size
• can be difficult to move and establish
• dislikes being disturbed

Landscape Use

• shade tree
• for large area
• street tree
• existing native trees are often saved during construction
• long-lived and desirable

Liabilities

• slow-growing
• difficult to transplant and establish
• numerous insect and disease pests, but damage is rarely significant

ID Features

• leaves with no lobes
• light brown, ovoid buds
• dentate leaf margins
• ashy gray or white, flaky bark
• small, ovoid acorns

Propagation

• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

• none