Missouri is the perfect place to grow majestic oak trees. There are already so many lovely native oaks in the area that will grow and thrive with no maintenance once established.
The climate and soils in Missouri vary with their rolling hills, prairies, mountains, and plateaus. While those in the southern ¾ of the state have a few more options, those in the north or in the mountains should have no problem finding beautiful oak trees that grow in all the Missouri hardiness zones.
Let’s take a look at eight of the majestic oaks that grow in Missouri.
8 Majestic Oak Trees That Grow and Thrive in Missouri
1. Red Oak – Quercus rubra
Red Oak is one of the most common oak trees in the eastern USA, and Missouri is no exception. It is found throughout almost the entire state, growing naturally in well-drained moist soils in moist forests, valleys, north and east-facing slopes, and sometimes drier habitats.
This long-lived, fast-growing tree has a broad spreading crown that makes a great shade tree with its large 7 – 11-pointy-lobed leaves that turn red, reddish-orange, or reddish-brown in the fall.
Red Oaks grow best in moderately acidic, average soils with medium moisture. They tolerate winds, urban conditions, moderate droughts, and Missouri’s limestone soils without developing chlorosis.
These are popular landscape trees for their beauty, fast growth, ease of transplanting, and their low to no maintenance once established. They would grow exceptionally well anywhere in MO, providing an important food source for native MO wildlife.
You can also learn how to identify Red Oak.
Other Common Names: Northern Red Oak, Common Red Oak, Eastern Red Oak, Mountain Red Oak, Gray Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 5 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 70 ft (to 90 ft) tall, 40 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers bloom in catkins from May to June; acorns mature from September to October
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
2. Swamp Chestnut Oak – Quercus michauxii
Swamp Chestnut Oak is a white oak with soft green leaves that look more like chestnut trees. In the fall, they turn a vibrant shade of red.
These trees are native to the southwestern corner of Missouri, growing naturally in moist, loamy soils in valley bottoms and riparian areas where they tolerate partial shade and wet soils.
Swamp Chestnut Oaks are highly adaptable trees great for low-lying areas in full sun, especially areas subjected to occasional flooding. They are recommended by the University of Missouri for their tolerance of urban conditions and alkaline soils.
This large tree makes a gorgeous shade tree anywhere in the southern ¾ of the state. They are not overly cold-hardy trees, so those living in the most northern parts of MO should ensure they plant them in a location protected from winter winds.
You can also learn to identify the Swamp Chestnut Oak.
Other Common Names: Basket Oak, Cow Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 5 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 65 ft tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Flowers in inconspicuous catkins bloom from April to May; medium-large acorns mature in September or October
Available at: Nature Hills
3. Chinkapin Oak – Quercus muehlenbergii
The Chinkapin Oak also has chestnut-like leaves that resemble the Ozark Chinkapin chestnut tree, so much so that they are named after it and often mistaken for it.
This cold-hardy mighty tree is native throughout Missouri, where it often grows in alkaline rocky soils on dry bluffs, ridges, and south-facing slopes where many oaks won’t grow. They grow best in full sun in any soil type, as long as it is well drained; do not plant them in low-lying areas.
Chinkapin Oaks are also recommended by the University of Missouri as a great shade tree for their urban tolerance and resistance to chlorosis in alkaline soil.
Since Chinkapin Oak is also a very cold-hardy tree, it will grow anywhere in MO, including the far north and the higher mountains in the St. Francois or the Ozarks.
For more information, check out how to identify Chinkapin Oak in its natural habitat.
Other Common Names: Chinquapin Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 ft (10 to 100 ft) tall, 40 – 70 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers emerge in catkins from April to early June; acorns mature in September of the same year
Available at: Nature Hills
4. Shingle Oak – Quercus imbricaria
Shingle Oaks are majestic trees with broadly spreading crowns and unique leaves that are unlobed and look more like laurel leaves with bright green surfaces and downy undersides.
Their leaves turn a vibrant red in the fall before turning brown, often remaining on the tree all winter to provide additional texture and interest to the winter landscape.
Shingle Oaks are one of the most common oaks in Missouri, where they are native almost everywhere, although they are less common in the southwest ¼ of the state than elsewhere.
These adaptable trees grow in various habitats, from well-drained rich bottomlands to dry upland forests, and will tolerate salt, alkaline, wet, or dry soils. Though they prefer full sun, they will also tolerate partial shade. This makes them a perfect choice for anywhere in MO, where they can be grown in almost any location without any maintenance once established.
Other Common Names: Jack Oak, Laurel Oak, Northern Laurel Oak, Small-Leaved Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 60 ft (to 100 ft) tall, 50 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers emerge from April to June; acorns mature in the fall of the second year (two-year cycle)
Available at: Nature Hills
5. White Oak – Quercus alba
White Oak is another iconic, mighty, majestic tree with a spreading canopy of beautiful, rounded-lobed leaves that turn a gorgeous crimson-red in the fall.
These trees are native throughout Missouri, often dominating the forests and providing important structural diversity, habitat, and food for wildlife.
White Oaks grow in full sun in sandy plains, gravelly ridges, rich uplands, and well-drained loamy soils, preferring medium-moist, acidic soils but tolerating others. However, they may do poorly in alkaline or poorly drained soils and are only mildly tolerant of urban conditions.
These trees don’t transplant well, so plant them young in their permanent location with room for their flared trunks to grow over time.
Their large acorns are less bitter than most and can be eaten raw, boiled, or dried and ground into flour, that is, if any remain after the wildlife finds them.
You can also learn how to identify White Oak.
Other Common Names: American White Oak, Northern White Oak, Eastern White Oak, Forked-Leaf White Oak, Quebec Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 80 ft tall, 50 – 80 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers appear between April and May; acorns mature in late summer to early fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
6. Shumard Oak – Quercus shumardii
Shumard Oak is a highly adaptable tree that tolerates wet to dry and acidic to alkaline soils, as well as drought, floods, road salts, and urban pollution. This, their fast growth, and their classical lobed oak leaves that turn a brilliant red fall color make them one of the most popular landscape oaks readily available in most nurseries.
Though they tolerate various conditions, Shumard Oaks grow best in full sun in well-drained, loamy soils and are often found growing in rich, moist clays in riparian areas alongside streams and swamps.
Shumard Oaks are already native to the southern ¾ of Missouri. Their adaptability and cold tolerance (to USDA Zone 4) means they will grow very well anywhere in the state, including the north and higher in the St. Francois or Ozark mountains.
For more information, check out how to identify the Shumard Oak in its native habitat.
Other Common Names: Shumard Red Oak, Swamp Red Oak, Spotted Oak, Schneck Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 ft (to 115 ft) tall, 40 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers bloom in catkins between March and April; acorns mature in September or October
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
7. Black Oak – Quercus velutina
Black Oak is another majestic oak with classically lobed oak leaves that emerge a soft, velvety red and quickly become a light glossy green contrasting beautifully against the nearly black bark. The leaves turn dark green in summer before turning deep orange-red or red in fall.
This tree is native throughout Missouri, growing naturally in dry upland forests in full sun in well-drained, slightly acidic soils.
In moist, rich soils, Black Oaks grow as tall trees but will also grow in poor, dry soils where they remain as medium-sized trees. They may, however, develop chlorosis on alkaline soils, so those in limestone-rich areas should choose a more tolerant tree.
Since they are highly cold-tolerant trees, they can be grown anywhere in MO, including the far north or the mountainous areas in St. Francois or Ozarks, without worrying about harsh winters.
You can also learn how to identify Black Oak.
Other Common Names: Yellow Oak, Quercitron Oak, Yellow-Bark Oak, Smooth-Bark Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 60 ft (to 130 ft) tall, 50 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers emerge before or with the leaves in April or May; acorns mature from late August to October the following year (two-year cycle)
Available at: Nature Hills
8. Pin Oak – Quercus palustris
Pin Oak is another widespread native oak tree found throughout most of Missouri, growing in full sun in mildly acidic, well-drained loam, sandy loam, or clay soils in moist valley bottoms or moist uplands. They tolerate poorly drained soils and occasional flooding but will not tolerate the alkaline soils in the prairies and other limestone-rich areas that could lead to chlorosis.
These fast-growing trees make great shade trees and are critical wildlife trees, providing food and habitat for hundreds of native birds, animals, and insects.
Pin Oaks are majestic trees with broad canopies filled with lovely classically lobed oak leaves that make great shade trees. In the fall, the leaves display a beautiful fall color of reds and oranges before turning brown and remaining on the tree, providing additional texture to the winter landscape.
For more information, check out how to identify Pin Oak in its native environment.
Other Common Names: Swamp Oak, Water Oak, Swamp Spanish Oak
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 80 ft (to 100 ft) tall, 40 – 60 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers emerge just after the leaves from April to May; acorns mature in the fall of the following year (two-year cycle)
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
Mighty Majestic Oak Trees to Grow in Missouri
I hope you have enjoyed learning more about the majestic oak trees that grow and thrive in Missouri.
Missouri has a wide variety of landscapes, soils, and micro-climates that provide a wide variety of niches for different trees to grow.
Fortunately, if you are an oak lover, there are numerous oaks to choose from, many already native to MO, that are all adapted to very different soil types, pH, and drainage. So, no matter where you live in MO, you can find an oak that will grow and thrive.
It is very important to do your research before choosing a tree to make sure that the oak tree you choose will thrive in the spot in your yard you have chosen for it. Check out How to Pick A Tree For Your Yard for more information on choosing the right tree for the right spot in your yard.
Now, for the fun part, you get to go shopping for your oak tree! Enjoy!
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