Quercus pagoda

Common Names

Cherrybark Oak

Summary

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) is a large North American deciduous tree with a straight trunk and broad, rounded crown, leaves are alternate, simple, 5–11 bristle-tipped lobes, 5–8 inches long and 3–5 inches wide, giving a pagoda-like silhouette, undersides are pale and pubescent, bark is gray to brownish-gray with shallow ridges, and flowers are monoecious catkins followed by acorns about 0.5 inch long that mature after two growing seasons, Native to the southeastern United States, it occupies bottomland and floodplain woodlands and well-drained sites, commonly reaching about 60–110 ft in height and 40–70 ft in width, timber quality is high, with wood used for furniture and interior finish, while acorns and foliage support wildlife, In cultivation, Cherrybark Oak thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained loam or sandy soils, tolerates occasional winter–spring flooding but standing water is harmful, and hardiness spans USDA zones 6–9, Maintenance includes irrigation in early years, mulching, and late-winter pruning to improve structure and airflow, site selection supports growth and health, Propagation occurs by seed (acorns take two years to mature) or by rooted cuttings, with stump sprouts providing rapid regrowth, Landscape value includes large shade, street tree use, and wildlife habitat, with timber value extending to furniture, veneer, construction, and interior finish.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

720-1200 inches

Spread

40-50 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained loamy soil

Soil pH

pH range 6.0–7.5, acidity acidic to neutral, tolerates pH 6.0–8.0

Bloom Color

Yellow-green, Green

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Reddish-brown

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

1–2 feet per year, fast-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds and butterflies