Chestnut Oak

      Quercus prinus or Chestnut Oak is a species of oak native to the eastern United States. Chestnut Oak does not impress by its size that can usually reach a maximum number of 22 meters. Occasionally, in great growing conditions and if receiving all the needed attention, the tree can reach a height of 40 to 43 meters, but these cases are very rare.

      As a timber tree, Chestnut Oak is not really popular. In case the growing conditions are convenient, the tree becomes straighter and will not be branched as low as the ones receiving no attention. As a result, the tree becomes useful as a timber tree, offering a strong, resistant wood.

      The Chestnut Oak has 12 to 20 centimeters lobed leaves similar to those of Swamp Chestnut Oak or Chinkapin Oak. The difference between the three species is made by the bark color that in the case of the Chestnut Oak has a dark gray-brown color. chestnut-oak-1

      The leaves have a yellow green or bronze color that changes, if it reaches maturity, to dark yellow green. In fall, the leaves turn to a more pale yellow that is to be transformed into a yellow brown.

      The bark passes through some stages until reaching maturity and the color is to underline this stages. At first, the bark of the Chestnut Oak has a bronze green color that changes into reddish brown and finally turns into a dark gray or brown hue. The wood has a dark brown color and it is characterized as being strong and durable.

      Chestnut Oak produces flowers and acorns. The flowers appear in May and have a pale yellow color and the acorns are: produced annually, have a reddish brown color and appear single or in pairs. The acorns are used as food by many wildlife species, such as: deer, turkeys, squirrels, chipmunks and mice and do not appear until the tree is around 20 years old.

Chestnut Oak Pictures Gallery

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