Quercus prinus (Quercus montana) Chestnut Oak

Chestnut oak foliage. Green acorns are growing at the ends of the branches. The foliage is dense and bright green.

Two chestnut oak acorns, both showing some root growth. The acorns are reddish brown and smooth.

A chestnut oak acorn next to a ruler. The acorn is about an inch and a half long.

A chestnut oak seedling in a liner. The seedling is growing out of the acorn and into the soil.

Quercus prinus foliage with green acorns. Leaves are broad and undulate.

Chestnut oak acorns, too young to grow. They are bright olive green and smooth, and their light brown caps have a diagonal bumps pattern.

General

Chestnut oak, also called rock oak, is commonly found on rocky slopes and upland areas.

Plant Description

Chestnut Oak has thick dark brown or black bark. The trunk tends to be straight and almost uniformly wide. Leaves are large and a shiny dark green. Acorns are smooth and reddish brown in color (light olive green when young). In Autumn, the leaves turn a light yellow-orange.

Height (ft)
50-70

Spread (ft)
60-70

Soil moisture
Medium

Soil types
Dry, rocky, and gravelly soils; medium to coarse in texture

Wetland indicator
UPL

Shade tolerance
Full sun to partial shade

Bloom color
Yellow

Bloom period
Spring

Fall conspicuous
Yes

Anaerobic tolerance
None

Drought tolerance
Medium

Salinity tolerance
None

Self-Pollinating?
Yes

Range

Chestnut oak is native and common on and near the Appalachian Mountains. In New England, it is most common in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and native but rare in Vermont and Maine.

Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]

Additional Information