

CHINQUAPIN 



(Castanea pumila Mill.) 



THIS small tree occurs at rare intervals through- 

 out the northern half of the State on both low- 

 lands and dry uplands, but is most frequently found 

 in the higher mountains. It is usually under 10 

 inches in diameter and less than 30 feet high. Tiie 

 trunk is short and straight and bears a rounded head 

 made up of slender, spreading branches. Sometimes 

 the small trees, less than 10 feet in height, form 

 dense thickets. 



CHINQUAPIN 



Twig, one-third natural size. Leaf, one-half natural size. 



The leaves, bark and fruit resemble those of the 

 common chestnut, and the fruit ripens in the late 

 summer or fall. The nut, however, is borne singly 

 in a burr that measures commonly only a little more 

 than an inch in diameter. The nut is rounded, dark 

 chestnut-brown, shiny, and the thin coat, lined in- 

 side with fine whitish hairs, contains a sweet kernel, 

 which is prized for food. 



The wood is light, hard, strong, coarse-grained; it 

 is suitable for fence posts, crossties, and fuel; but, 

 because of its small size and comparative scarcity, 

 it is of little economic importance. 



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