1876 



ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. 



PART 111 



1739 



in particular districts of very poor soil, where, alone or mingled 

 with the bear oak (Q. Banisteri), it sometimes covers tracts of more 

 than 100 acres in extent. It was introduced in 182.3; but is rarely 

 to be met with in plantations. Pursh states that it is highly orna- 

 mental when in full bloom; and Michaux observes that it might 

 probably be cultivated along with Q. Banisteri for its fruit, which, 

 as before observed, is very sweet. From the small size of the plant, 

 this variety is well deserving of culture for suburban or small 

 villa gardens, and miniature arboretums. 

 "i" Q. P. 5 tomentosa Michx. Fl. Bor. Amer., ii. p. 196., Quer., No. 5. t. 9. 

 f. 2.; Q. P. discolor Michx. fil. Arh., ii. p. 40. t. C, N. Amer. Si//., 

 i. p. +3. t. 7., and our ^g. 1739., Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836; Q. bfcolor 

 Wil/d. Sp. PL, iv. p. 440.', Pursh Fl. 

 Amer. Sept., ii. p. 633., N. Du Ham., 

 vii. p. 16.5., Smith in Rees's Cj/cL, No. 

 50.; 4i. MichauxJNutt. The Swamp 

 white Oak. — Leaves almost sessile, 

 obtusely oval, bluntly toothed; 

 downy beneath. (Michx.) The 

 swamp white oak, in America, says 

 the younger Michaux, is a beautiful 

 tree, more than 70 ft. high, of a 

 vigorous habit of growth, and with 

 luxuriant foliage. The leaves are RrJ^"^ 

 from in. to 8 in. long, and 4 in. ^y-^-l 

 broad ; entire towards the base, ' ^ ^ 

 which is attenuated and wedge- 

 shaped; but dilated and coarsely 

 toothed for two thirds of their length. 



The tree is distinguished, when full grown, by the remarkable 

 appearance of its leaves, which are on the under side silky, and 

 and of a silvery whiteness; while the upper side is smooth, and of a 

 bright green. It was from this striking contrast that Dr. Miihlen- 

 berg gave this tree the specific name of discolor. The acorns are 

 sweet, but seldom abundant; they are long, of a clear chestnut 

 brown, and contained in rather shallow scaly cups, edged with 

 short slender filaments. These cups are " more downy within than 

 those of any other oak;" and they are borne in pairs, on peduncles 

 of from ] in. to 2 in. in length. The bark is scaly, and of a greenish 

 white. With the exception of the district of Maine, and the mari- 

 time parts of the southern provinces, Michaux informs us that this 

 oak is diffused throughout the whole of the United States. " In 

 comparison, however, with several other species, it is not common, 

 being found only on the edges of swamps, and in wet places exposed 

 to inundations, and not in the forests at large." It generally grows in 

 company with Q. palustris, A^ccr rubrum, Nyssfl aquatica, and Tiirya 

 alba ; and, in British plantations, would thrive in the same situations 

 . as the alder and poplar. This species appears to have been dis- 



covered by the elder Michaux, who has figured a leaf of it under 

 the name of Q. P. tomentosa; but when it was introduced into 

 Britain is uncertain, though, in all probability, it would be about the 

 same time as Q. P. monticola, viz. in 1800. The wood is strong, 

 elastic, and heavier than that of the white oak. In full-grown trees, 

 the grain is fine and close, and the pores are not visible to the naked 

 eye : it splits easily, and in a straight line ; and, according to Michaux, 

 it is esteemed next in (juality to the American white oak, though, 

 from its rareness, it is but seldom em|)loyed for cconou)ical pur- 

 poses. There is a tree of this species in the arboretum at Messrs. 

 Loildigcs's, and one in the Horticultural Society's Garden, under 



