When does cherrybark oak bloom?

Cherrybark oak produces its inconspicuous catkin flowers in March and April, before the leaves fully expand.

How large does cherrybark oak get?

It is a large deciduous tree, often reaching well over 100 feet in good bottomland growing conditions, with a straight trunk and rounded crown.

What kind of site does cherrybark oak need?

It grows best in full sun on moist, well-drained bottomland or floodplain soils, and tolerates medium water levels along with occasional flooding.

What insects are attracted to cherrybark oak flowers?

Bees and beetles visit the spring catkins to collect pollen, even though oaks are primarily wind pollinated.

Is Cherrybark Oak toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Cherrybark Oak as toxic to livestock.

Is Cherrybark Oak HOA-friendly?

Cherrybark Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Cherrybark Oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus pagoda

Last reviewed: September 2026

Quercus pagoda, commonly called cherrybark oak, is a large deciduous tree that does well in full sun with medium water, producing catkins in March and April along bottomland forests and floodplains.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Cherrybark Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

480"–960" H × 360"–600" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Piedmont Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

Cherrybark oak is a large, stately native tree with distinctive ridged bark and glossy green leaves that turn yellow to orange in fall. This fast-growing oak develops a broad, rounded crown and is valued for its impressive size and classic tree form.

Growing Cherrybark Oak

Grow Cherrybark Oak in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 480 to 960 inches tall and spread 360 to 600 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Cherrybark Oak is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

Very large mature size requires adequate space
Acorns may require periodic cleanup

Wildlife value

Host plant for Southern Hairstreak, Red-spotted Purple.

Supports numerous pollinators including native bees and beetles during spring blooming. The acorns provide food for wildlife, and the large canopy offers nesting sites for birds.

Common questions

When does cherrybark oak bloom?: Cherrybark oak produces its inconspicuous catkin flowers in March and April, before the leaves fully expand.
How large does cherrybark oak get?: It is a large deciduous tree, often reaching well over 100 feet in good bottomland growing conditions, with a straight trunk and rounded crown.
What kind of site does cherrybark oak need?: It grows best in full sun on moist, well-drained bottomland or floodplain soils, and tolerates medium water levels along with occasional flooding.
What insects are attracted to cherrybark oak flowers?: Bees and beetles visit the spring catkins to collect pollen, even though oaks are primarily wind pollinated.
Is Cherrybark Oak toxic to dogs?: Cherrybark Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Cherrybark Oak toxic to cats?: Cherrybark Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Cherrybark Oak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Cherrybark Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Cherrybark Oak HOA-friendly?: Cherrybark Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Cherrybark Oak? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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