FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 273 



and contain from 1 to 4 thin-shelled nuts, which (in our species) are released 

 hy the opening of the bur. Male and female flowers minute (male much more 

 numerous than female), :; in a minute cluster, arranged on cylindrical, long, 

 upright stems. The male clusters grow from the bases of leaves produced that 

 season, while the female flowers, also borne in 3-flowered minute clusters, are 

 arranged on the base of the stems bearing male flowers i flg. 121). Flowers 

 depend entirely upon the wind for carrying pollen from the male to the female 

 bowers, and for this reason male flowers are much more numerous than female 

 ones. Like the chestnuts and oaks, the trees of this group have large, long 

 taproots. One species only, a native of the Pacific region, occurs within the 

 United States. 



Western Chinquapin. 



Castanopsis chrysophylla (Hook.) A. de Candolle. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS. 



The field name of western chinquapin is simply " chinquapin," probably from 

 the close external resemblance of the fruit burs to those of the eastern chinqua- 

 pin (Castanea pumila). Sometimes it is called " goldenleafed chestnut," in 

 reference to the yellow under surface of the leaves. 



Under the conditions most favorable for growth it has a straight trunk from 

 SO to 100 feet high and a diameter of from 3 to 4 feet, while authentic records 

 show that it may attain a height of 150 feet and a diameter of from 5 to 10 feet. 

 Such trees are very rare or probably not in existence now. Ordinarily it is 

 from 30 to 50 feet high and from 8 to 15 inches through. (The high mountain 

 form is a low shrub, with slender, half-prostrate steins, and has been distin- 

 guished as Castanopsis chrysophylla minor.) Large trees have fluted trunks 

 and are clear of branches for from one-half to two-thirds of their length. The 

 big limbs of young trees stand out in a close, pyramidal crown, while in old 

 trees they form a dome-like crown. The bark of young trees is thin, smooth, 

 and dark grayish, but that of large trunks is from three-fourths inch to 1\ 

 inches thick or more, deeply seamed, and composed of very wide plates, which 

 are reddish brown externally and brilliant red within. The evergreen leaves 

 (figs. 1121, 122), those of each season's growth persisting about three years, are 

 thick, leathery, deep shiny yellow green on their upper sides, while beneath they 

 are coated with minute golden yellow scales, as are the leaf stems. They are from 

 2\ to .".;! inches long, or on vigorous shoots from 4 to (» inches long. Flowers 

 open in early summer, but not uncommonly continue to open throughout this sea- 

 son and into midwinter. The fruit matures in the autumn of the second season, 

 when the spiny burs (fig. 122), about 1 to 1:'; inches in diameter, split open 

 irregularly by I divisions, liberating the edible nut. which is shiny, yellowish- 

 brown, sweet, and usually single. Wood somewhat brittle, fine-grained, rather 

 soft, pale reddish brown. Excellent saw timber is furnished by large trees, 

 and the wood is suitable lor agricultural implements. The region of large 

 growth, though comparatively small, is one in which commercial hardwoods are 

 scarce, so that this timber is of very considerable economic importance. 



LONGEVITY. — Very little is known concerning the age, which in large trees is 

 believed to exceed 500 years. Trees from 18 to 25 inches in diameter are from 

 145 to 190 years old. 



RANGE. 



Southwestern Washington to southern California. Cascades, from Skamania County, 

 Wash., southward through those of Oregon (chiefly on west slope) and coast ranges and 



