When does Chestnut Oak bloom?

Quercus montana produces its catkin flowers in April and May, before the leaves fully expand.

What kind of light does Chestnut Oak need?

This tree grows best in full sun but can tolerate part sun to part shade, especially on the rocky, exposed slopes and ridgelines where it commonly grows.

How much water does Chestnut Oak require?

Quercus montana is adapted to low water conditions and does well in dry, well drained soils typical of ridge tops, though it can also handle medium moisture sites.

What pollinators visit Chestnut Oak?

Bees, beetles, and wasps visit the flowers of Quercus montana, though the tree relies mainly on wind for pollen transfer between catkins.

What is the growth habit of Chestnut Oak?

Quercus montana is a medium to large deciduous tree with a rounded crown, often found on dry, rocky slopes and ridges in the eastern United States.

Is Chestnut Oak toxic to livestock?

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

Is Chestnut Oak HOA-friendly?

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

Chestnut Oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus montana

Last reviewed: September 2026

Quercus montana is a deciduous tree that thrives on dry rocky ridges and slopes, tolerating low water and full sun. It blooms in April and May with inconspicuous catkins.

Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana) 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 Chestnut Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

480"–960" H × 360"–720" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, CT, DE, GA and 21 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, wasps

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

Piedmont Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Chestnut oak is a large native tree with distinctive rounded, scalloped leaves and deeply furrowed bark. It produces acorns in fall and displays attractive yellow-brown autumn color before dropping its leaves.

Growing Chestnut Oak

Grow Chestnut Oak in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 480 to 960 inches tall and spread 360 to 720 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: front yard, mid zone.

Large mature size requires adequate space
Acorn drop may need seasonal cleanup

Wildlife value

Host plant for brown-tail moth, gypsy moth, winter moth, polyphemus moth.

Supports over 500 species of butterflies and moths as caterpillar host plant, while acorns feed squirrels, deer, and many bird species. Spring flowers attract bees, beetles, and wasps for pollination.

Common questions

When does Chestnut Oak bloom?: Quercus montana produces its catkin flowers in April and May, before the leaves fully expand.
What kind of light does Chestnut Oak need?: This tree grows best in full sun but can tolerate part sun to part shade, especially on the rocky, exposed slopes and ridgelines where it commonly grows.
How much water does Chestnut Oak require?: Quercus montana is adapted to low water conditions and does well in dry, well drained soils typical of ridge tops, though it can also handle medium moisture sites.
What pollinators visit Chestnut Oak?: Bees, beetles, and wasps visit the flowers of Quercus montana, though the tree relies mainly on wind for pollen transfer between catkins.
What is the growth habit of Chestnut Oak?: Quercus montana is a medium to large deciduous tree with a rounded crown, often found on dry, rocky slopes and ridges in the eastern United States.
Is Chestnut Oak toxic to dogs?: Chestnut Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Chestnut Oak toxic to cats?: Chestnut Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Chestnut Oak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Chestnut Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Chestnut Oak HOA-friendly?: Chestnut 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

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