Shade

Quercus muehlenbergii

A relatively drought and alkaline soil-tolerant shade tree, it has a pyramidal form in youth before developing a more rounded, spreading crown as it matures, eventually having a wider canopy than it is tall. It features large, glossy, serrated-edged leaves that are a dark yellow-green that can turn mild shades of yellow-orange to yellow-brown in fall. This tree can sprout tiny yellow-green flowers in spring as leaves emerge and will produce small acorns that can be a valuable food source for a wide variety of wildlife. Many oaks can be slow growing, but this species has been known to grow faster.