The Chestnut Oak tree, Quercus prinus, is a medium-sized, native, deciduous tree. Chestnut Oak trees are also called Rock Oak, Rock Chestnut Oak, or Mountain Oak. It is long-lived and slow-growing rugged tree. The characteristic bark is dark and very rough. On older trees it typically is broken into long, V-shaped ridges that are separated by deep furrows. The tree grows on dry, rocky ridges and slopes. The wood is strong and durable, and mainly used for general construction and fuel.
The bark has greater tannin content than most other oaks, and was extensively used in the leather tanning trade. The acorns are an important source of food for various forms of wildlife. The acorns are large, but do not appear until the tree is around 20 years old. The leaf undersides are medium green, rather than white. Autumn color is chartreuse to yellow-brown, but the canopy is cleaned of leaves by late autumn. Chestnut Oak is amazingly free of major pest and disease problems, a testament to superior genetics in all aspects of its growth cycle.