26 BULLETIN No. 82. 



til ripe. Wherever scattering loblolly trees occur in spruce pine stands, 

 they should be left for seeding purposes when the stand is finally cut. 



Oak 



White and red oak are the two most important of the fourteen 

 species of oak found in Delaware. Both of them occur in every part of 

 the State and in all forest types. White oak is extremely slow but very 

 persistent in its growth, and can endure shade better than other species 

 of oak. Red oak on the other hand is a very rapid growing species but 

 is intolerant, not being able to exist long under the shade of other 

 trees. Both species reproduce well by sprouts, especially the red oak, 

 and most of the second growth is of sprout origin. As already stated, 

 the market prices for white oak are higher than for red oak, yet for 

 commercial timber growing the latter is preferable because it reaches 

 merchantable size at a much earlier age. In spite of its high value 

 white oak is too slow growing to make it profitable for forest manage- 

 ment, and if planting is considered, red or pin oak should be used. 

 However, there are large quantities of immature white oak throughout 

 the State which, as a rule, should be allowed to reach merchantable size, 

 but reproduction of the species should not be especially encouraged. 

 Through its persistence white oak will always continue an important 

 tree in the forests of Delaware. 



On the "swamp type" cow (or swamp chestnut), pin, and willow 

 (locally called "peach") oaks take the place, to a great extent, of white 

 and red oaks. Except for its leaf, cow oak looks like white oak, and 

 the quality of the wood is the same ; it is more rapid in growth, how- 

 ever. Pin and peach oak are both very rapid growers but the wood of 

 the latter is exceedingly brash and inferior, while pin oak produces the 

 same quality of lumber as red oak. Pin oak is the best species of oak to 

 encourage in wet situations, and trees interfering with its reproduction 

 and development should be cut. 



Scarlet and black oaks occur more on better drained soils, and in 

 mixture with white and red oaks. The lumber cut from them goes on 

 the market as red oak, but neither is as desirable as red oak for com- 

 mercial timber growing, as the rate of growth is slower and the quality 

 of the timber not so good. 



Chestnut 



Next to loblolly pine chestnut is the most profitable species for 

 forest management in Delaware. It does best on well-drained soils, me- 

 dium to heavy, and does not flourish in wet swamps, or on light dry 



