Description
Shingle oak is a small to medium sized tree with a rather broad rounded crown. Although when first observed, one would not guess that it is a oak tree. The leaves are not lobed, but are alternate, regular shaped, broadest near the middle with a slightly wavy margin, shiny dark green on the upper surface, with a less shiny lower surface. The leaf is tipped with a short slender bristle.
The slender, dark green and shiny branches are tipped with multiple buds which are egg shaped, pointed at the tip, covered with closely overlapping, light brown scales. The bark on twigs is light brown, smooth and shiny; with age it becomes ridged, fissured and scaly when older. The fruit is an acorn maturing in two years, 1/2 inch long, rounded and covered about halfway with a turban-shaped cup.
