Chinkapin oak is a somewhat rare but highly prized tree due to its attractive chestnut/chinkapin-like leaves, its excellent hardwood, and delectable acorns. This oak can grow in a variety of sites and can handle inhospitable sites where other trees can’t grow. Despite their small size, its acorns are the most highly prized by wildlife due to their sweet taste and low tannin content. Some report being able to eat them raw, however, boiling and processing the acorn is always recommended. It is the larval host of numerous hairstreak and duskywing butterflies, and will attract plenty of wildlife.