Quercus castaneifolia aka Chestnut Leaved Oak

Quercus castaneifolia, also known as the chestnut-leaved oak, is a fast-growing deciduous tree that can reach heights of up to 25m. Native to the Caucasus and Alborz mountains of Iran, it bears a striking resemblance to the Turkey Oak. The leaves are green with serrated edges, measuring around 18cm in length. In autumn, they transform into a yellow-brown hue. The tree produces large acorns that form in semi-circular cups adorned with pointy scales. Interestingly, the leaves can sometimes be retained in a brown color while still on the tree. The chestnut-leaved oak features a trunk with a diameter of less than 2.5m and can grow to a maximum height of 35m. Its leaves, which are 10-20cm long and 3-5cm wide, display 10-15 small, regular triangular lobes on each side. Wind-pollinated catkins serve as the tree's flowers, while its fruit consists of acorns that mature approximately 18 months after pollination. These acorns are bicolored, with an orange basal half that transitions into a green-brown tip. The cup that encloses the acorn measures 2cm deep and is densely covered in soft, mossy bristles that are 4-8mm long. While the acorns possess a bitter taste, they are consumed by jays and pigeons. Squirrels, on the other hand, typically only eat them when other food sources are scarce. Despite being a vigorous grower, Quercus castaneifolia remains relatively rare in collections, even though it was introduced to England in 1846.