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Chapman oak

Chapman oak

  • ​​​​Common Name: Chapman oak
  • Scientific Name: Quercus chapmanii
  • Family Name: Fagaceae
  • Origin: Florida
  • Height: Up to 30 ft, usually between 6 and 15 ft
  • Width: 30 ft
  • Growth: Slow
  • Zone: USDA Zones 8 through 10
  • Light needs: Full sun to part shade.
  • Salt tolerance: Moderate tolerance of salt spray. No tolerance of saltwater inundation.
  • Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers well-drained sandy soil with an acidic pH below 7.0. Tolerant of nutrient poor soil.
  • Moisture: Low water needs once established.
  • Drought tolerance: High.
  • Pests/Diseases: No major pests or diseases. This tree produces large amounts of pollen which can be an irritant for people with allergies.
  • Growing conditions: This small oak can tolerate some shade but will truly thrive in full sun. It tolerates poor soils and droughts, but adding some organic matter and keeping the soil moist will keep it in its best health. This plant needs good drainage and should be kept in a sandy, dry area that is not prone to flooding.
  • Characteristics: This small oak usually has a round, spreading crown, but appearances vary between individuals. Bark is grayish at maturity with deep, blocky furrows. Leaves are simple, alternate, with entire margins and pubescence along the midvein. Leaf shape is variable, ranging from oblong to obovate but usually with a waviness. Leaves change to yellow and red in the fall and winter and completely fall off by spring. Flowers are green, inconspicuous catkins which are wind pollinated. Fruits are acorns, with a scaly cap covering about half of the brown nut.
  • Propagation: By cuttings or by seed.
  • Wildlife: The acorns of this tree are low in tannins, and thus are a favorite food of many animals, including the Florida scrub-jay, wild turkey, and deer.
  • Facts: The species name chapmanii is after the physician and botanist A.W. Chapman, who was the first to describe this species.
  • Designer considerations: This small oak does not usually grow large enough to be a shade tree but is an excellent accent tree. As opposed to other oaks such as the live oak, its leaves turn beautiful shades of red and yellow in the fall. It is also a good screening plant, especially if kept short by regular pruning.

Location

Native Trees in The Gardens