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CHINQUAPIN. 

 Castanea pumila, (Linnaeus) Miller. 



FORM — A small tree or sbrub 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 1& only 3-5 ft. in height. This is the northern limit of its distribution. Trank usually 

 short and crown rOLi^disL. 



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

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



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

 dark brown; covered with numerous lenticelu. 



BTJDS — Alternate, axillary; terminal bnd absent; ovoid, blunt-pointed, about J of an inch 

 long; ccvered with scurfy red scales. 



LEAVES — Alternati, 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 — .\ppear in May or June la more or less spreading aments. Staniinate occur In 

 crowded clusters along ameot; pistillate at base of upper aments in ovoid, prickly Involucres. 



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

 containing usually X, seldom 2, ovoid bright brown and sweet nuts with a morb or less 

 hairy apex. 



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

 In tannic acid; splifs easily. Weighs about 28 lbs. per cubic foot. Used for fence posts, 

 rails, and railroad ties. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS— The Chinquapin is a little brother of the Chestnut 

 whirL 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 Jersev and Pennsylvania to Florida, Missouri, and Texas. 



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

 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 ponda 

 and streams. 



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

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

 shrub and yields delicious nuts. 



