OF Ohio 



57 



SWAMP WHITE OAK 



Quercus bicolor, Willdenoiv 



THE Swamp White Oak is usually found in swamps, 

 about ponds, and along the banks of streams. In 

 youth it is rather attractive, but with advancing years it 

 becomes ragged and unkempt in appearance. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, 5 to 6 inches long, broad, 

 wavy-toothed on mar- 

 gin, dark green above, 

 light green and hairy 

 on lower surface. They 

 arc broadest between 

 the middle and the 

 apex. 



The flowers and 

 wood are similar to 

 those of the White 

 Oak. 



The fruit is a long- 

 stalked acorn that ma- 

 tures in one season. The 

 acorns arc about an inch 

 long, usually occur in 

 pairs. 



The bark on old 

 trunks is thick, grayish- 

 brown and breaks in 

 long, deep furrows. On 

 the small branches it 



sheds oflF in flakes like that of the Sycamore. The twigs arc 

 stout, yellowish to reddish-brown. The buds are about 

 ys of an inch long, blunt-pointed, smooth, reddish-brown. 

 Its wood is similar to that of White Oak. 



The Swamp White Oak is found from Maine to Michi- 

 gan and south to Georgia and Arkansas. This tree occurs 

 locally throughout Ohio. It is looked upon with favor in 

 reforestation work in the State. Moist to wet sites are its 

 favorite home. Trees 3 to 4 feet in diameter and 80 feet 

 high are not unusual. The largest specimen of Swamp 

 White Oak ever recorded was the Wadsworth Oak, which 

 was 27 feet in circumference. It was near this tree that 

 Robert Morris and the Seneca Indians made an important 

 treaty in 1797. 



SWAMP WHITE OAK 

 One-third natural size. 



