The dwarf chinkapin oak, Quercus prinoides, produces acorns at 2-3 years old. It is native to most of the eastern half of the United States but grows as far west as Nebraska and as far north as New York state. Acorns can form on trees that are only 2 to 3 feet tall. Deer and turkey love the acorns, as they are low in bitter tannins. The dwarf chinkapin is a white oak and has a beautiful fall color that is often red to blaze orange. It only grows to about 15 feet in height. It does well in full sun to part shade and tolerates alkaline soils well. In many states it is rare.
Chinkapin oak, Quercus muelenbergii, is a full size white oak. It also produces acorns at an early age, about 5 years old, and when it gets older it often produces a bumper crop. It is native to the southern and northern United States. It grows well on poor, rocky soils and limestone outcroppings but also performs well in rich bottomlands. When mature, it has a scaly attractive bark with a rounded canopy. I’ve heard from many hunters that its acorns are a favorite of the white tail deer.
