280 SYLVA AMERICANA. 



at an advanced age, is covered with a smooth bark, remarkable 

 for the thickness of its cellular integument. The leaves are two 

 or three inches long, of a light green, smooth, narrow, entire, 

 and similar to those of the willow, whence is derived the name 

 of Willow Oak, which is used in every part of North America 

 where the tree is known. This tree fructifies once in two years. 

 It flowers in May and bears acorns of a dark brown color, which 

 are small, bitter and contained in shallow cups slightly coated 

 with scales. 



The wood is reddish and coarse-grained. It is too porous to 

 contain wine or spirituous liquor, and its staves are classed with 

 those of red oak. The quantity, however, is small, as the 

 tree is so little multiplied that alone it would not supply the 

 consumption for two years. It possesses great strength and 

 tenacity, and splits more readily than the white oak; hence 

 after being thoroughly seasoned, it is employed for the felloes of 

 wheels. These are the principal uses to which it seems adapted, 

 and for these it is less proper than the post oak and white oak. 

 It is sometimes employed in Georgia for fencing the plantations, 

 and lasts only eight or nine years. As fuel, it is very little 

 esteemed. 



