130 WOODY PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



For the purpose of making baskets, the lower part of the 

 trunk of young white oak trees is very much used, on account 

 of its great elasticity and suppleness, and the evenness with 

 which it may be divided into narrow strips or ribbons, when in 

 that stage of growth. For this purpose, it is worth twenty dol- 

 lars per cord. The wood of the young tree is also used for ox- 

 bows, where hickory cannot be obtained, and even in some 

 places in preference to it. It is often used for handspikes and 

 levers, and all those numerous purposes in which strength, elas- 

 ticity, and toughness are required. 



The bark is valuable to the tanner. It is nearly like that of 

 the European white oak, which is so highly prized in England 

 and France, that all the small branches are stripped, whenever 

 an oak is felled. In this respect, there is still a great want of 

 economy in most parts of our country. The average value of 

 this bark, near the sea-coast, is about eight dollars per cord. 



The root of the white oak is seldom taken up, except for the 

 purpose of making knees for naval architecture. But, judging 

 from the great beauty which a section of these roots sometimes 

 exhibits, they might with advantage be substituted for many of 

 the foreign, imported woods, for ornamental purposes, as for the 

 manufacture of chairs and tables. The great defects of the 

 wood of white oak is its shrinking much and irregularly, which 

 may, however, be obviated by thorough seasoning. 



The value of white oak for charcoal is very considerable, 

 being surpassed only by that made from the chestnut, the hick- 

 ories, and the chestnut white oak. As fuel, it is quite as much 

 prized as it deserves, making at best but a slow fire, and far 

 inferior, for this purpose, to the hickories. Its great importance, 

 as timber, and its increasing scarcity, will, however, prevent its 

 being much used for either of these purposes. 



What has been said of the oak as an ornamental tree, applies 

 especially to the white oak. It is beautiful in every stage of 

 its growth ; at first, light, slender, delicate and waving; at last, 

 broad, massive, and grand, but always graceful. Let every one 

 who has an opportunity, plant a white oak. When standing 

 in a situation where it is somewhat protected, and has room 

 freely to expand its limbs, it will every year improve in beauty 



