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THE Chinkapin
Oak
About the Chinkapin Oak :
The Chinkapin Oak tree, Quercus muehlenbergii, is
the limestone equivalent of the chestnut oak,
occuring as a dominant species on rocky alkaline
uplands. This Oak tree is also sometimes commonly
called yellow chestnut oak. Chinkapin oak is a
medium sized deciduous oak of the white oak group
that typically grows 40-60’ tall with an open
globular crown. Fruits are small oval acorns with
scaly cups that extend to approximately 1/2 the
acorn length. Acorns are valued food for a variety
of wildlife.
Chinkapin Oak trees have narrow, shiny green
leaves that have coarse marginal teeth. Leaves
somewhat resemble the leaves of chestnut (Castanea)
whose nut is sometimes called a chinquapin, hence
the common name of this oak. Its acorn is sweet and
edible. The thin leaves provide light shade. Fall
color is variable, but it usually displays shades of
yellow and brown. Chinkapin is not used extensively
as an ornamental tree, although it is quite tolerant
of tougher sites. |
