Ring Cup Oak is an evergreen oak from Asia. It can grow as a small tree or large shrub. In cultivation, it generally grows 20-30 feet high. The leaves are sensitive to cold damage. This tree tolerates a wide range of soils including wet clay soils and does best in full sun. The leaves are attractive and acorns are produced in fall which attracts wildlife. Use as a small shade tree, a street tree, or for privacy and screening.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed; Oval; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
4-8 inch long by 2-4 inches wide elliptical to oblong leaves appear bronzy to purplish in the spring. Becomes glossy dark green in summer. Undersides are gray-green to blue-green with hairs. Margins are entire with teeth near the apex. Bases are rounded. Non-showy fall color is yellowish-green.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Catkin; Insignificant
Flower detail
Separate male and female catkins in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Acorns are up to 3/4 inch long. The cup has 5-6 concentric rings and covers approximately 1/3 of the nut. They grow singly or in clusters of 2 or 3.
Bark color
Black; Dark Brown
Bark detail
The bark is blackish-brown and smooth at first. It becomes furrowed and rough with age.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stems are dark olive green, stiff, thick with pale lenticels. Buds are brown with scales.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Eastern and southern Asia
Wildlife value
Mildly resistant to damage by deer. Wildlife eats the acorns.
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Nuts
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Nut
Edibility
Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden
Design feature
Screen/Privacy; Shade Tree; Specimen; Street Tree
Garden tags
#evergreen #deer resistant #acorns #shade tree #oak #clay soils tolerant #full sun tolerant #wildlife friendly #screen
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer
Propagation
Seed
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Fruits; Leaves
Poison symptoms
Stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination if young leaves or raw acorns eaten.