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Marquand Park

All about trees and shrubs

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463. Chinese chestnut (465)

The Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) [plant family Fagaceae] is a small- to medium-sized (max 64 ft) tree with broad crown.  The oval-shaped leaves are simple, alternate, and with straight veins and slightly toothed.  The top of the leaf is somewhat leathery and underneath paler green and hairy.  The flowers appear as catkins with female flowers at the base and male flowers elsewhere. The fruit is a brown nut (2.5 in) housed in a spiny coat. They are edible and an important food source for forest animals.  The tree is resistant to the chestnut blight that has wiped out almost all the American chestnuts.  Native to China, the Chinese chestnut is now the most common chestnut in North America.  Compared to American chestnut, Chinese chestnut has smaller, wider, and leatherier leaves and smaller fruit. 

Link describing  difference between an American and Chinese chestnut.  http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/comparison/

 

CASTANEA mollissima leaf and fruit

 

 

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Paint Out Princeton

Join us for the Arts Council’s continuing Paint Out Princeton program on Saturday May 19th, at Marquand Park, Lovers Lane; Ages: 15+; time: 12:30-5:00 pm. Marquand Park is a  beautiful 17-acre arboretum characterized by wide gently sloping lawns, winding paths and over 140 different tree specimens, among them flowering cherry trees, magnolias and some rare evergreens. In the wooded area you will find huge native trees, some dating back over 170 years!  The public will be invited to visit and observe artists at work!  Please email timevtim@gmail or info@artscouncilofprinceton.org with any questions.  This is a free event that requires pre-registration.

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