The chestnut oak is graceful tree with a rounded crown. It is native to wooded slopes in dry upland areas, often with poor soils, from Maine to Indiana south to South Carolina and Alabama. It grows tallest in rich, well-drained soils. Insignificant monoecious yellowish-green flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring after the leaves emerge. Fruits are oval acorns (to 1 1/4” long) with warty cups that extend to approximately 1/2 the acorn length. Acorns are an important source of food for wildlife. Obovate, coarsely-toothed, almost leathery leaves (to 7” long) are dark green above and pubescent gray-green beneath. Fall color is yellow-brown.The distinctive, deeply furrowed bark of Chestnut Oak is a key field mark for distinguishing from Basket, Swamp Chestnut, and Swamp White Oak. The shallowly lobed leaves are reminiscent of American Chestnut, hence the name.

Often occurs on dry, gravelly, sandy or rocky soils.