Plant Profile: Quercus imbricaria

Early North American settlers used this tree to make roof shingles.

Eastern and mid USA

AL , AR , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , TN , VA , WV. Found from a few eastern states through the midwest.

Oak trees support a wide variety of Lepidopteran. You may see Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), which have one flight from June-August everywhere but Florida where they emerge April-May. Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), has one flight from May-July in the south and June-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), has three to four flights in the south from February-November and two flights in the north from May-September. White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) has three broods in the north from February-October. Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) has three broods in Texas and the deep south from January-November, and two broods in the north from April-September. Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) has one brood from April-June, appearing as early as January in Florida. Very high wildlife value. Many birds and mammals eat the acorns. It is a host plant to several moths and skippers. Many insects are attracted to the tree, which in turn provides food for birds and other insect-eating animals.

Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out.

Perennial

Woody

Seed

Wildlife Food Source

Buffer

Screening