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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. ... details
Bitternut Hickory The yellow bud makes it difficult to mistake for another species and combined with the alternate compound leaves and relatively large nuts, it is very distinctive. The nuts are reported to be bitter, as one of the common names suggests. The lighter colored shallow cracks in the younger bark are roughly similar to those of young Shagbark Hickory, but the mature bark of Yellow-bud Hickory does not split so deeply. This deciduous tree is found on moist, fertile soils in the east and central U. and is intolerant of shade. Bitternut Hickory trees are known for their hard wood. The wood is used for pulpwood and furniture. This deciduous species displays a leaf color of medium green to dark green. The fall color is often green to chartruese, but sometimes is a brilliant golden-yellow in excellent seasons. It is a fast growing, adaptable tree. |
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