🌳 Tree of the Month for July 2025

Howdy, park goers! Welcome to the very first installment of our Tree of the Month series by Forestry Supervisor, Joseph Hart. Each month, our forestry team will spotlight a different species from Tower Grove Park’s arboretum, and we’re kicking things off with a personal favorite—the Chestnut Oak.

Also known as basket oak, rock oak, or rock chestnut oak, Quercus montana is a member of the white oak group and is native to the forested slopes and mountains of the eastern U.S. This medium to large oak typically grows 50–70 feet tall and wide. Its thick, dark brown bark—with deep ridges and furrows—is the thickest of any eastern North American oak and one of its most distinguishing features.

Oaks like Q. montana are vital to healthy ecosystems. As keystone species, they support over 900 types of caterpillars and other insects, and their acorns provide essential nutrition to local wildlife.

The specimen featured here is the largest chestnut oak in our arboretum. Found near the walking path by the Cemetery Gate entrance at Spring and Arsenal, this majestic tree is wider than it is tall—an impressive display of broad canopy beauty. Be sure to check it out on our interactive map using the ‘Tree Walk’ feature!