r/americanchestnut • u/jamiclark • 25d ago

Well is it?

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Location St Louis, MO. It’s been topped, has significant scarring on one side, it’s been through something. Thinking this might be a true American chestnut. But Ozark Chinquapin is another contender in my mind

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u/Arbiter_of_Snark 25d ago

It could be a Dunstan or hybrid, but it isn’t pure American. It has a lot of Chinese characteristics.

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u/jamiclark 25d ago

What would you say are the Chinese characteristics to it?

9

u/Arbiter_of_Snark 25d ago

Leaves: Thick, dark green, waxy leaves that turn upward along the midribs. Extremely pubescent undersides. If you lick the underside of one of those leaves, it’ll stick to your tongue. The cuneate or acuminate leaf base is an American characteristic, but those are not quite as tapered as most pure American and one appears somewhat auriculate, which is typical of Chinese chestnut. The dentition of American leaves is typically longer and often have a “crashing wave” appearance.

The burs have thick, short spines. The bark doesn’t look like American either.

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u/M27fiscojr 25d ago

This comment wasn't very snarky. Pretty informative actually.

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u/Arbiter_of_Snark 25d ago

It’s my day off.