Question: Photos show something that looks like quercus muenlenbergii to me but I gather that is rare so may not be …
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Question
Photos show something that looks like quercus muenlenbergii to me but I gather that is rare so may not be likely. Found 4 individuals on a wooded path between the highway and an office parking lot in Burlington, MA. The tallest is about 20', trunk shown in photo. Also saw aphids on the underside of one leaf as shown which I cannot remember seeing on oak before. The area also has white oak, white pine, viburnum acerifolium, sassafrass, and juniper.
Answer
Dear bkatzenberg, you have photographed Castanea dentata (American chestnut). If you note, the leaf blades have fairly pronounced, sharp teeth (Quercus meuhlenbergii would have blunt lobes). Nice find, it is a pleasure to see these trees still growing in New England.
