Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak)

Botanical name

Quercus prinus

Other names

Chestnut oak, Rock oak, Basket oak, Rock chestnut oak, Tanbark oak, American white oak, American chestnut oak, White oak, Quercus pumila, Quercus montana

Genus

Quercus Quercus

Species

Q. prinus - Q. prinus is a large, rounded to oval, deciduous tree with oblong to ovate, coarsely-toothed, glossy, dark green leaves and pendent clusters of yellow-green flower catkins in spring followed by ovoid, dark brown fruit.

Native to

Eastern United States

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Oval-headed, Rounded

Toxicity

Acorns are edible only after tannins are leached or boiled out.

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Colour

Flower

Yellow-green in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Also: Knopper gall wasps

Specific pests

Aphids , Oak gall wasps

Diseases

Also suffers from oak wilt in North America only.

Specific diseases

Oak wilt , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Propagation methods

Grafting, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak) will reach a height of 18m and a spread of 18m after 50-100 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Low Maintenance, Specimen tree

Cultivation

Best grown in deep, well-drained or moist but well-drained, acid loam in full sun. Grows well in sandy soil. Tolerates light shade. Also tolerates drought and poor soil. A large oak suitable for residential areas, parks, and as a street tree.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Acute Oak Decline

Type

Other

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Serious disorder of oaks likely to be caused by a complex of organisms. Eradication is not feasible; but good silvicultural practices could help to reduce spread and impacts.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak)

Common pest name

Oak jewel beetle; Oak splendour beetle; Two -spot woodborer

Scientific pest name

Agrilus biguttatus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Native beetle attracted to stressed trees and which is one of the biotic factors contributing to Acute oak decline. Good silviculture practice can help to mitigate the decline in tree health.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak)

Common pest name

Ramorum leaf blight; Ramorum shoot dieback; Rhododendron twig blight; Sudden oak death

Scientific pest name

Phytophthora ramorum

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pathogen of larch and other hosts subject to EU emergency legislation. A containment strategy is in place in the UK; reflecting its presence in wider environment/forestry settings in some areas. EU regulatory status is under review.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/