SWAMP CHESTNUT OAK
Quercus michauxii Nutt.
This species, also called basket oak and cow oak, is distinguished by having a wavy leaf-margin, a large [fruit] which is [sessile] or very short stalked, and by the fact that it occurs in its greatest abundance in bottomlands. It is confined chiefly to the eastern part of the state as far west as the Trinity River.
In the appearance of its [bark] and branches it closely resembles the ordinary white oak, but the leaf lacks deep indentations and the acorn is usually larger. The tree attains heights of about 100 feet and diameters of about 4 feet.
The LEAVES are [deciduous], [obovate] or [oblong] [ovate], notched on the edge somewhat like the chinkapin oak, but the lobes are rounded instead of pointed. They vary from 4 to 8 inches in length, are [downy] beneath and turn a rich crimson in the fall. The [BARK] is very light gray, and on old trees is broken into broad flakes or divided into strips.
SWAMP CHESTNUT OAK (Twig, one-half natural size; [fruit] and leaf, one-third natural size)
The acorn, or [FRUIT], matures in one season and attains a diameter of more than an inch and a length of 1½ inches. The acorn is a bright, shiny brown and set in a rather shallow cup. The acorn is frequently eaten by cows and this fact gives the tree one of its common names.
The WOOD is heavy, hard, tough, strong, and takes an excellent polish. It is used in manufacturing lumber, veneer, boards (shakes), water-tight barrels, fuel, fence posts, and baskets.
CHINKAPIN OAK
Quercus muhlenbergii Engelm.
This oak, also known as chestnut oak, occurs over the eastern part of the state and west to the Guadalupe River; also on the Guadalupe Mountains. It grows on most classes of soils, except in swamps, and is tenacious on shallow, dry, limestone soil. The [BARK] is light gray, and breaks up in the short narrow flakes on the main trunk and old limbs.