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chinkapin
Scientific Name: Castanea pumila
Family: Fagaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Tree, Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names: KY (Allegheny chinkapin), NJ (chinquapin)
Chinkapin and Chinkapin Oak: A Detailed Look
This page explores the fascinating world of Chinkapin and Chinkapin Oak trees, focusing on their characteristics, distribution, and ecological significance.
Considerations for Pets
- Some species have sharp, spiny burrs containing nuts.
- The nuts are considered wildlife food and eaten by squirrels and deer.
Considerations for Children
- Some species have sharp, spiny burrs containing nuts.
- The nuts are considered wildlife food and eaten by squirrels and deer.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinkapin Oak)
- Common Names: Chinkapin Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Yellow Chestnut Oak, Rock Oak, Yellow Oak, Bray Oak, Chestnut Oak, Rock Chestnut
- Quercus muehlenbergii belongs to the white oak group (Quercus sect. Quercus).
- Family: Fagaceae (Beech family)
- Note: The species was often called Quercus acuminata in older literature.
- Giant Chinkapin Scientific Name: Chrysolepis chrysophylla
Distribution and Habitat
- Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is native to much of the Eastern United States, extending as far west as Central Kansas and Southwest Texas.
- It thrives in upland forests on limestone substrates and is often found in deeper, well-drained soils along rivers and creek bottoms.
- It can grow in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, wet, and clay soils.
- The Allegheny Chinkapin is native and found growing from New England.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Chinkapin or Chinquapin is described as a small tree.
- Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is a medium-sized deciduous oak, typically growing 40-60 feet tall, but less frequently reaching 80 feet. It has an open crown.
- It can reach a height of 70 feet and a trunk diameter of 3 feet, with a rounded crown of glossy, green foliage.
- It has strong branches and interesting leaves.
- Leaves are simple, alternate, and deciduous.
- Flowers are monoecious and emerge in April to late May or early June. Staminate flowers are borne in catkins.
- The fruits are acorns.
Ecological Role and Uses
- The primary use of Chinkapin is for wildlife food and cover.
- The nuts are an excellent food source for squirrels, deer, and other wildlife during the fall and winter.
- Chinkapin Oak is tolerant of alkaline soil, unlike most white oaks.
- The acorns of the Chinkapin Oak are edible.
- Dwarf chinkapin oak, Quercus prinoides, produces acorns at 2-3 years old.
Quirky Facts
- Chinkapin Oak is sometimes called "mule" oak due to its hardy nature and tolerance of poor soils.
Additional Information
- The Chinkapin oak was named for Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg.
- Some English words for American plants, animals and places (like chinkapin) are Algonquian words.
- Tim O'Brien talks about the chinkapin oak in a video for The Nature Conservancy's "If Trees Could Sing" video series.