The shingle oak (
Quercus imbricaria) is our shade tree of the week. This tree is native to the southeastern United States, but is one of the lesser known oak trees in northwest Louisiana. It's not as common as the white oak (
Quercus alba) or post oak (
Quercus stellata). However, in 1995, Ed Leuck managed to identify and collect shingle oak specimens from north Caddo parish, near Ida, very close to the Arkansas border. Unfortunately, those individuals did not survive. In the fall of 1998 Dr. Leuck bought a replacement from Woodlanders Nursery ( located in Aiken, South Carolina) and planted it the subsequent spring. This tree is doing marvelously well in the arboretum, thriving on a gradual, south-facing slope. It provides much needed shade for the path between the Student Union Building and the Fitness Center.
The photos below were taken shortly after noon on a partly cloudy August day.
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| The shadow of the shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria) is cast on the grass and the foot path that runs between the Student Union Building and the Fitness Center. This is a southward looking view. |
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| Currently, this oak only partially shades the path from the noon day sun, but, given enough time to develop, this path will be amply shaded. |
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| The shiny dark green leaves of Quercus imbricaria have only the slightest point at the tip, making them a member of the red oak group. |
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| The underside of the Quercus imbricaria leaf is a light green. The leaves are clustered together, and acorns are maturing on the branchlet. |
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| Quercus imbricaria produces small acorns. |
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| Detail of acorn and twig |
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| Looking up, underneath the tree, we can see the sun peeking through the dense foliage. |
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| The split trunk makes this a particularly interesting individual. |
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| This tree, approximately 20-years-old, has dark grey, lightly fissured bark. |
For more information about this species consult the following:
University of Florida IFAS
Ohio State University
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
