American Chestnut
Castanea dentata · Fagaceae (Beech family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Oblanceolate to oblong-lanceolate with an acuminate tip and cuneate base
Margin
Coarsely serrate with prominent bristle-tipped teeth
Arrangement
Alternate with a short petiole
Venation
Pinnate with straight, parallel secondary veins terminating directly at the teeth
Key Features
Elongated oblong-lanceolate shape, distinctive coarse teeth with bristle tips, and straight parallel veins
Description
A large deciduous tree producing spiny husks containing nuts, featuring dark brown furrowed bark and vibrant yellow autumn foliage
Habitat
Well-drained acidic soils in upland temperate deciduous forests
Native Range
Eastern North America, historically from Maine to Georgia and west to the Ohio Valley
Identified on 10/15/2026