MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



CHESTNUT OAK (Quercus prinus L.) 



THIS tree derives the justification for its common 

 name, Chestnut Oak, from the resemblance which 

 its leaves bear to those of the Chestnut. It occurs in 

 the eastern parts of Massachusetts, sometimes rather 

 frequent locally, as in the Blue Hills. Usually it may 

 be found in rich, moist soil on rocky slopes and banks. 



Here it is a small or medium tree, 

 twenty -five to forty feet in height with 

 a trunk diameter of one to one and 

 one-half feet. Nevertheless it may 

 sometimes assume greater dimensions. 

 In the former case. the trunk is usually 

 continuous. The branches are small 

 and form a narrow, round head. 



The bark on the old trunk is dark 

 reddish-brown or almost black and 

 divided into broad, rounded ridges 

 which have small surface scales. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, 

 five or six inches long, oblong or lance- 

 shaped, coarsely and irregularly scal- 

 loped, and yellowish-green and lustrous 

 on the upper surface. 



The flowers appear in May when CHESTNUT OAK 

 the leaves are partially grown. winter twig and buds. 



The fruit matures the first year. 

 The acorns are about an inch long, light brown in 

 color and slightly or almost half enclosed by the cup. 



The wood is heavy, hard, strong and durable when 

 in contact with the soil. It is employed for fencing, 

 for railroad ties and for fuel. The bark is used in 

 tanning. Chestnut Oak is considered to be equal in 

 value to the White Oak. 



