Chestnut oak, Rock Chestnut Oak, Cow oak, Basket oak
Quercus prinus
Family: Fagaceae
What it is like
A medium sized tree. It grows 30 m tall and spreads 18 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The tree often forks just above the ground. The branches are large and spreading. The bark is dark red to black and deeply cracked. The leaves are oblong or egg shaped. They are green-yellow. They are paler and finely hairy underneath. The leaves turn rich yellow in autumn. The fruit are acorns half enclosed in hairy cups.
There are about 600 Quercus species. typification of Q. prinus L. uncertain, thus treated as nom. ambig. by some, who accept Q. montana Willd. for this taxon
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in NE regions of the USA between 450-1500 m altitude. It grows in dry and sandy soils. It needs well drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Arboretum Tasmania. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The nuts are eaten whole, chopped or ground. If they contain high levels of tannin they are boiled in 2 or 3 changes of water then dried. They can be used in muffins, pies and pancakes.
Edible parts
Seeds, nuts
How it is grown
It can be grown by seeds or cuttings.