Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Are you looking for a tall shade tree to add to a large landscape? Chestnut Oak, also known as Quercus Montana, is a deciduous tree, growing to heights of 50-70 feet. Bred by American Beauties Native Plants, it features elongated oval foliage, providing interest from spring until fall as its greenish hue changes to auburn, claret, and gold in the fall. Chartreuse catkins appear followed by one-inch acorns that are beloved by animals including deer. Its unusual wrinkled bark resembles a chestnut tree.
A native of mountainsides in the eastern section of the United States, Chestnut Oak tolerates rocky, poor soil. It is cold hardy in zones 4-8. Plant this slow-growing, low-maintenance tree as a specimen in a shade garden or along a street. Songbirds will flock to its branches and mice will scurry around its trunk, foraging its acorns.
Chestnut Oak Care
Chestnut Oak tolerates various soil types, including nutrient-deficient soil. Plant in a hole about the size of the root ball in full sun in well-draining, acidic soil. If the soil does not drain well, improve it by adding compost. Wrap the trunk with a tree guard to protect against deer rubbing the bark, and mulch with shredded leaves. Do not fertilize.
Prune young Chestnut Oak during late winter to encourage good health and a balanced shape. Remove dead, diseased, damaged, and crossed branches. Use the three-cut method when trimming limbs: 1) About 2 inches from the branch collar, make a shallow cut upward on the branch’s underside. 2) Trim the stem a few inches farther from the first cut by making another cut downward on the branch’s top. 3) Finally, remove the tree’s stub by making a final cut closer to the tree’s collar. This three-cut method will help prevent the tree’s bark from accidentally ripping.
Chestnut Oak Spacing
Space Chestnut Oak trees 50-70 feet apart, 30-50 feet away from foundations, and 50 feet from overhead power lines.
Chestnut Oak Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 50-70 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 50-70 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Green, Yellow
- Flower Description
- Yellow Green Catkins
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Foliage Color
- , Green, Yellow
- Foliage Description
- Green, Yellow, Bronze
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Chestnut Oak
- Also Known As
- oak
- Botanical Name
- Quercus prinus
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!