Allegheny Chinkapin

Chinkapin Leaves

• Usually smaller than American chestnut leaves, but highly variable
• Chinkapin leaves exposed to the sun are whitish underneath because of numerous leaf hairs
• American chestnut leaves, in contrast, have few hairs and are light green underneath

Chinkapin Burs versus Chestnut Bur

• Chinkapin burs are often in grape-like clusters.
• Chinkapins have only one small, pointed nut per bur (versus up to three nuts per bur for chestnuts).
• Chinkapin burs open into two sections (valves) whereas chestnut burs open into four sections.

Nuts

Top: Chinkapin nuts: note the pointed end

Middle: American chestnuts: note the hairy surface

Bottom: Chinese chestnuts: note the rounded end