(Quercus michauxii)
The Beech Family (Fagaceae)
Tall tree with rounded crown; deciduous, alternate, large leaves; light gray, scaly bark; and large acorns. Also known as Cow Oak or Basket Oak.
Habitat:
Coastal bottomland forests; stream banks; swamps.
Interesting Facts:
The low tannin content acorns eaten by deer, ground birds, humans and cattle. High tannin content bark used to tan leather and lumber used to make baskets and barrels. Host to the Horace’s Duskywing, Northern Hairstreak, and White M Hairstreak butterflies.
Fruit:
Brown acorn, 1 – 1.5 “ in length, with a short stalked, scaly, bowl-shaped cap that covers one-third of nut.
Flower:
Male: 2 to 4" long yellow-green catkins; Female: very small greenish-red in leaf axils: both appearing in mid-spring with the leaves.
Wildlife value:
Numerous species of birds and mammals eat the acorns and tree serves as a habitat for many small mammals, birds and insects.
Fruit
Leaf type:
Simple
Pollinator:
Wildlife value:
Tree dimensions:
Leaf length: 5.00-10.00 inches
Tree height: 60.00-100.00 feet
Where to find Swamp Chestnut Oak on the Louisiana State Arboretum Trails:
WET - Wetland Trail 6.0
TER - Walker Terrace 9.0
Refer to our Live Map to locate this species and its interpretative signage on the trail system.