II. 1. THE SWAMP WHITE OAK. 135 



hardly exceeds this in height, whilst, in the centre of this island, 

 the latter becomes a very large and tall tree. 



I think the post oak would grow readily in a sheltered situa- 

 tion, in any part of Massachusetts, but it probably would not 

 reach a great height. 



It abounds in the western and south-western States ; and 

 probably some of the timber imported thence, under the name 

 of white oak, with which it is often confounded, is the produce 

 of this tree. 



Sp. 4. The Swamp White Oak. Quercus bicolor. Willdenow. 



Leaves and fruit figured in Michaux ; Sylva, I, Plate 7 ; and in Plate 4, of this 



volume. 



The swamp white oak is found in great numbers in the low 

 moist grounds in the vicinity of Boston, and in every county in 

 the eastern section of the State ; and it occurs as far north as 

 York County in Maine. It is distinguished at all seasons by its 

 nearly entire, wedge-shaped leaves, and by its white bark, 

 rough, with large, loose flakes or scales, and its numerous and 

 intricate branches. These begin low down on the trunk, but 

 are seldom of great height. The bark on the smaller, recent 

 branches, is of a light grayish green. 



In warm and sheltered situations, it is a neat and beautiful 

 tree. When too much exposed to the east or north wind, it 

 shows the effect by its ragged appearance. 



The leaves, when young, are very downy, with a whitish 

 ferruginous down beneath, and of a reddish green above. 

 When mature, they are on short footstalks, three to six, or seven 

 inches long, and two to four broad, acute at base, having often a 

 rather deep bay on each side just below the middle, and usually 

 abruptly dilated towards the end, bordered by a waving line, 

 forming about thirteen large teeth, mostly obtuse, but sometimes 

 ending in a callous point. The edge is slightly folded back 

 smooth, and of a pleasant green above, and covered beneath 

 with a white, very soft down ; nerves and larger veins promi- 

 nent, and rust-colored. Below the large leaves are commonly 



