Chestnut Oak

Chestnut Oak     (Rock Oak, Tanbark Oak)

Quercus prinus L.

Mature Size: 50 to 70 feet in height, 2 to 3 feet in diameter

Form: Crooked trunk and irregular crown on dry ridge tops; straight trunk and narrow crown on better sites. 

Where to find Them: Common on dry, rocky slopes and ridges, but attains best growth in well- drained coves and stream sides.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, 4 to 8 inches long, roughly oval but often wider near the tip, edges with large rounded teeth

Fruit and Seeds: Oval acorn, 1 to 11⁄2 inches long, and shiny; cap is scaly and teacup-like, with thin edges, separating from the acorn when mature; maturing in one season.

Wildlife Use: The large acorns are sweet and are eaten by a variety of wildlife, although good acorn crops are infrequent.   The Hutchinson Tract lost a number of large chestnut oaks during the tornado of February 24, 2016, the remnants of which can still be seen along the trails.

Bark:   Grayish-brown to brown; on young trees, very smooth; on older trees, thick and deeply divided into broad, rounded or flat-topped ridges, somewhat resembling the back of an alligator.