SWAMP CHESTNUT OAK 

 (Basket Oak, or Cow Oak) 



(Quercus prinus L., formerly Q. michauxii Nutt.) 



THIS tree occurs in its greatest abundance in the 

 bottomlands of the eastern part of the State, 

 and is found sparsely in other sections, outside of 

 the mountains. In the appearance of its bark and 

 branches it closely resembles the ordinary white 

 oak, but may be distinguished by means of the 

 leaf and acorn. The tree attains heights of about 

 100 feet and diameters of about 4 feet. 



The leaves are oval, 

 broader towards the 

 point and notched on 

 the edge somewhat like 

 the chestnut oak. They 

 vary from 4 to 8 inches 

 in length, are downy 

 beneath and turn a rich 

 crimson in the fall. The 

 bark is a very light 

 gray, and on old trees 

 is broken into broad 

 flakes or divided into 

 strips. 



The acorn, or fruit, 



attains a diameter of 



more than an inch and 



a length of l^^ inches. 



The acorn, which is a bright shiny brown and 



set in a rather shallow cup, is considerably larger 



than that of the white oak. It is frequently eaten 



by cows and this fact gives the tree one of its 



common names. 



The wood is heavy, hard, tough, strong, and takes 

 an excellent polish. It is used in manufacturing 

 lumber, veneer, boards (shakes), tight cooperage; 

 for fuel and fence posts; and extensively for mak- 

 ing baskets. 



SWAMP CHESTNUT OAK 

 Leaf, one-third natural size. 

 Twig, one-half natural size. 



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