Swamp
Chestnut Oak is also known as Basket
Oak, for the baskets made from its wood,
and Cow Oak because cows eat the acorns.
It grows well on moist and wet loamy
soils of bottomlands, along streams
and borders of swamps in mixed hardwoods.
The high quality wood is used in all
kinds of construction.
Tree
Type(s):
Nut
Trees, Ornamental Trees, Shade
Trees
Family:
Fagaceae
Specifications:
Mature
Height: 50 to 75
ft; Mature Spread:
35 to 55 ft; Growth Rate:
Fast
Sun
Exposure:
Full
Sun, Partial Shade
Soil
Type:
Acidic,
Loamy, Moist, Well Drained
Zones:
6a
- 9a
Importance to
Wildlife:
Acorns
serve as mast for various species
of birds and mammals. Favored
by turkey and deer.
Unique Information:
The
sweetish acorns can be eaten raw,
without boiling.
Native
Range:
New
Jersey south to northern Florida;
west to eastern Texas, and north
to southern Illinois; to 1000
Ft.
Habitat:
Moist
sites, including well-drained,
sandy loam and silty clay flood
plains along streams; sometimes
in pure stands.
Uses:
Wood
from Swamp Chestnut Oak is commercially
useful for lumber in all kinds
of construction, for agricultural
implements, cooperage, fenceposts,
baskets, and fuel.
