Quercus michauxii Nutt.

Swamp Chestnut Oak; Cow Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Swamp Chestnut Oak is a large native deciduous tree in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Swamp Chestnut Oak occurs on river floodplains, in swamps, and in low hardwood forests. It is a large tree reaching heights of 60-80 feet. The bark is light gray and shaggy, with long plates. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, obovate to elliptic in outline, with toothed margins. Leaves are dark green and glabrous above, gray-glaucous and pubescent below. The leaves turn red or orange before falling. Male flowers are produced in drooping, greenish-yellow catkins. Female flowers are 1-3 on a short peduncle. The fruit is a nut. Acorns mature in one season. The deep bowl-shaped cup encloses about ½ of the acorn. The acorns are relatively large and sweet and are readily consumed by a variety of wildlife. Cattle sometimes feed on the acorns, giving rise to an alternate common name for this species— "cow oak". Basket Oak is another common name for this species. Thin strips of the tough but flexible wood is used to weave baskets and chair bottoms. Swamp Chestnut Oak is also an important timber tree, the wood being used for construction, flooring, cross ties, and handles. Swamp Chestnut Oak is available from many nurseries, especially those selling wildlife food plants. It grows best in wet to moist acidic soils in full to partial sun.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW- (NWPL)

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