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

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

Leaf undersides.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

The leaves are somewhat similar to the Chestnut Oak (Q. montana/prinus) of rocky uplands, but are larger and broader towards the tip.

Durham Co., NC 8/3/03.

The leaves are pale beneath.

Chatham Co., NC 9/20/03.

The pale, scaly bark is nearly identical to that of White Oak (Q. alba) and quite unlike the tightly ridged bark of Chestnut Oak. These two species hybridize on occasion. Also compare with Swamp White Oak (Q. bicolor)

Durham Co., NC 8/3/03.

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.