Trees Commonly Mistaken for Ozark Chinquapin
Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
Chinquapin oak is the most common species mistaken for Ozark chinquapin. The chinquapin and chestnut oak have leaves with rounded teeth and buds are clustered at the stem’s apex. Chinquapin oaks have acorns with a cap but Ozark chinquapin have a prickly burr. Chestnut oak and swamp oak leaves are sometimes misidentified as Ozark chinquapin as well.
Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima)
Photo Above: Chinese chestnut leaves have a small tooth at the end of each “wave”
Photo Above: Ozark chinquapin serrated teeth
Photos Above: irregular bark of Chinese chestnuts
Allegheny Chinkapin (Castanea pumila)
Allegheny chinkapin is a multi-stemmed large shrub or small tree with 3 – 5 inch long leaves.
If you think you found a tree (Ozark chinquapin), start by looking at the identification guide keeping in mind the location and habitat where you found the tree–this will help you determine if the tree might be another kind of non-native chestnut species or a hybrid.
Additional Resources
Our Tree Identification page is a good reference guide as well as this Photo Gallery .