Swamp Chestnut Oak is a fairly common large tree of bottomland forests.

The leaves are somewhat similar to the Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus) of rocky uplands, but are larger and broader towards the tip. Also similar is Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), a rare tree (in NC) of slopes over basic rock, which has more sharply-pointed teeth.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Durham Co., NC 6/27/2009.

Durham Co., NC 8/3/2003.

Leaf undersides are paler...

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

...and hairy.

Durham Co., NC 6/27/2009.

Leaves turn reddish in the fall.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

The cap extends about halfway down the acorn.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

Leaf undersides.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

Chatham Co., NC 9/20/03.

As with most oaks, hybrids with other species are not rare. The photo at left shows an apparent Quercus alba x Quercus michauxii. Compare this hybrid with Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor).

Granville Co., NC 5/1/2011.

The pale, scaly bark is nearly identical to that of White Oak (Quercus alba) and quite unlike the tightly ridged bark of Chestnut Oak.

Bark of a large tree.

Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

The bark of some larger trees is not scaly.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Durham Co., NC 8/3/2003.