Re: "Golden Oak of Cyprus"
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Re: "Golden Oak of Cyprus"
- From: K*@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 00:01:24 EDT
Nancy:
There are a couple of species of an oak relative known as Chinquapin
(Castanopsis sp.) which are native to the western US and which occur as far
north as Washington state, which closely resemble the description you give
for the Golden Oak of Cyprus, but which have small, hard-shelled, edible nuts
in chestnut-like burs. The Giant Chinquapin (Castanopsis chrysophylla) makes
a tree 14-45 m. tall. The leaves are lanceolate, 5-15 cm. long, dark green
above, and golden-tomentose beneath. The Golden Chinquapin (C. chrysophylla
var. minor) makes a shrub or small tree to ~ 5 (10) m. tall. The leaves of
this variety are folded upward on each side along the midrib, giving the
entire plant a golden color. One of these might be easier to find and would
probably be better suited to your neck of the woods.
Kurt Mize
Stockton, California
USDA Zone 9
