Chinkapin Oak

Chinkapin oak, Quercus muehlenbergii

Chinkapin oak, part of the white oak subgenus, is also commonly called rock oak, chestnut oak, and yellow oak. The name chinkapin comes from its resemblance of the leaves of Allegheny chinquapin, a relative of American chestnut. Chinkapin oak can be found throughout most of the eastern and central portions of the United States, preferring humidity and either limestone outcrops or upland soils derived from limestone. It may grow up to 21 m (70 ft), but is rarely a predominant tree.

Bark of chinkapin oak.

Common in oak dominated forest cover, the chinkapin oak often hybridizes with other species including bur oak, white oak, gambel oak, and swamp white oak. It also often grows as a codominant with bur oak and hackberry, but is otherwise found as scattered individuals in a mixed overstory. Hummingbirds will often use oak catkins for nesting material. The acorns are commonly consumed by numerous wildlife species, and the browse is often consumed by deer. Chinkapin oak is also a nectar source for the gray hairstreak.