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CHINQUAPIN. 



Castanea pumila, (Linnaeus) Miller. 



FORM A small tree or shrub usually attaining a height of 20-30 ft., but may reach a height 

 of 50 ft. with a diameter of 3 feet. In Pennsylvania seldom exceeds 20 ft. in height and 

 often is only 3-5 ft. in height. This is the northern limit of its distribution. Trunk usually 

 short and crown rouitdish. 



BARK May attain a thickness of one inch, usually fissured and broken into light reddish- 

 brown loose plate-like scales. On branches and young trunks rather smooth, dark grayish-brown. 



TWIGS Slender, at first pale woolly, later pubescent, finally smoother, reddish-brown to 

 dark brown; covered with numerous lenticels. 



BUDS Alternate, axillary; terminal bud absent; ovoid, blunt-pointed, about J of an inch 

 long; covered with scurfy red scales. 



LEAVES Alternate, simple, oblong, thick, firm, straight-veined, sharp-pointed at apex, 

 sharply toothed on margin, yellowish-green and smooth on upper surface, pale green and 

 whitish-downy beneath. 



LEAF-SCARS Semi -oval, somewhat raised; with scattered, occasionally clustered, rather 

 inconspicuous bundle-scars. 



FLOWERS Appear in May or June in more or less spreading aments. Staminate occur In 

 crowded clusters along ament; pistillate at base of upper aments in ovoid, prickly involucres. 



FRUIT Matures in September or October. A bur covered with numerous stiff spines and 

 containing usually 1, seldom 2, ovoid bright brown and sweet nuts with a moro or less 

 hairy apex. 



WOOD Ring-porous; with indistinct medullary rays; hard, strong, brown, durable, rich 

 in tannio acid; splits easily. Weighs about 28 Ibs. per cubic foot. Used for fence posts, 

 rails, and railroad ties. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Chinquapin is a little brother of the Chestnut 

 which one may see by comparing their characteristic fruit. It can be distinguished from the 

 Chestnut by its smaller size, its whitish down on lower surface of leaf-blades, its smaller 

 scurfy red buds, and smaller burs containing usually 1 nut. 



RANGE New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Florida, Missouri, and Texas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Locally in a few counties in the southern part of th 

 State. Known to occur in the counties cf Franklin, Adams, York, Lancaster, and Chester. 



HABITAT Usually found on dry, sandy slopes, rather fertile hillsides, and margins of ponds 

 and streams. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES It is of no commercial importance in this State on 

 account of its smail size and its limited distribution. It is very attractive as an ornamental 

 shrub and yields delicious nuts. 



