Rock Chestnut OakQuercus Montana Willd

By Egypt Crider06/23/10

Elective Science

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledon)Order: Fagales (Flowering plants)Family: Fagaceae (Beech Family)Genus: Quercus (Oak)Species: Quercus Montana Willd(Rock Chestnut Oak)Sometimes referred to as Mountain Oak, Rock Oak

or Chestnut OakUnsettled debate over scientific name: Quercus

Montana or Quercus prinus

Shape, Form and Type

The Rock Chestnut Oak is a medium sized tree

Can reach 50 to 70 feet in height

Crown is dense and broad in a 50 foot spread

Species of OakPart of the Beech

FamilyFigure 1: Rock Chestnut Oak form

Bark

Light/medium gray shade

Distinctive with deep, narrow ridges

Ridges triangular in cross sections

As tree ages, it will keep the light gray color of its bark

Figure 2: Bark of Rock Chestnut Oak

Twig and Leaf

Twig Leaf

Twigs of Rock Chestnut Oak are stout

Hairless Orange-brown Branches build up

thick bark in a short amount of time

End in long, pointed buds

The leaves are simpleAlternate From 4 to 6 inches in

lengthOval in shapeShiny green on topPaler on undersideRounded teeth

Figure 3: RCO Leaves

Figure 4: Twig

Bud, Flower and Fruit

Bud◦ Light brown color◦ Sharp pointed◦ Cone shaped

• Flower• Flowers of Male Rock Chestnut Oaks are green-yellow catkins,

2-4 inches in length• Females are red in color and come in spikes

Fruit◦ Oval acorn 1 to 1 ½ inches in length◦ Tea-cup, scaly cap◦ Shiny

Figure 5: Buds

Figure 6: Rock Chestnut Oak Flower (Male)

Figure 7: RCO Fruit

Habitat and Range

Rock Chestnut Oak is commonly found on dry, rocky soils

Mainly in the Appalachian area

Humid climateBest growth on well

drained soil near streamsNative range extends

from Maine through New York to southern Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia and Alabama

Uses

Rock Chestnut Oak wood is very strong and hard Similar to that of White Oak Used for lumber Beams Furniture Planking Acorns are eaten by the wildlife

Figure 9: Chestnut Oak Desk

Figure 10: RCO Ceiling Beams

References (Text)

2010. Quercus prinus. Date Retrieved- 06/23/10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chestnut_Oak

2010. Ohio Trees- Chestnut Oak. Date Retrieved- 06/23/10

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry/trees/oak_chestnut/tabid/5391/Default.aspx

2010. Quercus prinus Fact Sheet. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=76

2009. Chestnut Oak PA DCNR. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/commontr/chestnut.htm

1997-2010. Chestnut Oak. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://www.dof.virginia.gov/trees/oak-chestnut.htm

2010. Quercus prinus L. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10

http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/quercus/prinus.htm

1997-2010. Chestnut Oak. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://www.dof.virginia.gov/trees/oak-chestnut.htm

References (Pictures)

Figure 1: Rock Chestnut Oak Form. Date Retrieved- 06/23/10 http://www.avtreefarm.com/Trees/oak_chestnut.jpg

Figure 2: Bark of Rock Chestnut Oak. Date Retrieved- 06/23/10 http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/image/q/qupr2-brlarge13676.htm

Figure 3: RCO Leaves. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://www.ibiblio.org/openkey/intkey/images/Quercus_montana_leaves01.jpg

Figure 4: Twig. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/image/q/qupr2-tw16523.htm

Figure 5: Buds. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=76

Figure 6: Rock Chestnut Oak Flower (Male). Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/image/q/qupr2-flmale39437.htm

Figure 7: RCO Fruit. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/oak_chestnut/fruit.jpg

Figure 8: Range of Rock Chestnut Oak. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/quercus/prinus.htm

Figure 9: Chestnut Oak Desk. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10

http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/NationalBusinessFurniture/DMI-7665-55_zom?$medium$

Figure 10: RCO Ceiling Beams. Date Retrieved- 06/24/10 http://www.royblackman.co.uk/USERIMAGES/POOL%20VAULTED%20CEILING.JPG