QUERCUS RUBRA, L. 87 



in autumn ; outline oval or obovate, sometimes scarcely dis- 

 tinguishable by the character of its lobing from Q. tinctorio ; 

 in the typical form, lobes broadly triangular or oblong, with 

 parallel sides bristle-pointed ; leafstalks short ; stipules linear, 

 soon falling. 



Inflorescence. Earliest of the oaks, appearing in late April 

 or early May, when the leaves are half-grown ; sterile cat- 

 kins 3-5 inches long ; calyx mostly 4-lobed ; lobes rounded ; 

 stamens mostly 4 ; anthers yellow : pistillate flowers short- 

 stemmed ; calyx lobes mostly 3 or 4 ; stigmas long, spreading. 



Fruit. Maturing in the second year, single or in pairs, 

 sessile or short-stalked : cup sometimes turbinate, usually 

 saucer-shaped with a flat or rounded base, often contracted at 

 the opening and surmounted by a kind of border ; scales 

 closely imbricated, reddish-brown, more or less downy, some- 

 what glossy, triangular-acute to obtuse, pubescent : acorn 

 nearly cylindrical or ovoid, tapering to a broad, rounded top. 



Horticultural Value. - Hardy throughout New England ; 

 grows in all well-drained soils, but prefers a rich, moist 

 loam ; more readily obtainable than most of our oaks ; in 

 common with other trees of the genus, nursery trees must 

 be transplanted frequently to be moved with safety ; grows 

 rapidly and is fairly free from disfiguring insects ; the oak- 

 pruner occasionally lops off its twigs. When once established, 

 it grows as rapidly as the sugar maple, and is worthy of 

 much more extended use in street and landscape plantations. 

 Propagated from the seed. 



Plate XLIII. Quercus rubra. 



1. Winter buds. 



2. Flowering branch. 



3. Sterile flower. 



4. Fertile flowers, side view. 



5. Fruiting branch. 



