Native Trees of Kentucky 



No. 1. d. Overcup Oak Qucrcus l\rata. 



The ,'OVercup or Swamp Post Oak is a native of low river 

 bottoms and swamps, in the western part of the State. The wood 

 is not differentiated from While ( )ak in the lumber markets. 



The nut, almost enclosed by the scaly cup, gives the descrip- 

 tive name to this species and is an easy guide to identification. 

 Tree large, trunk dividing into several main branches. 

 Bark reddish gray, shedding in thick scaly plates. 



Leaves 3 to 5 pairs of oblong, pointed lobes with broad mid- 

 dle sinuses. 



Fruit acorns, small, rounded, often entirely enclosed by 

 rough, scaly cups. 



No. 1. e. Chestnut Oak Quercus prinus. 



The Chestnut Oak takes its name from the resemblance of its 

 leaves to those of the Chestnut. 



As the more tolerant Maple, Beech and Hemlock disappear 

 in the ascent up steep ridges. Chestnut Oak increases. In the 

 Cumberland River district, which is the second heaviest timbered 

 region of Kentucky, Chestnut Oak forms one of the four 

 abundant forest trees. It is also found on sterile dry situations 

 in the central and western part of the State. 



Neither the leaves nor the twigs are seriously damaged by 

 insects and fungi, but the wood is discolored by the burrowing 

 of minute larvae during the process of seasoning. These black 

 specks, filled with sawdust, enlarge, reducing the grade of timber 

 in the markets. The largest and soundest logs are sold with 

 \Yhite Oak and utilized for the same purposes. The Chestnut 

 Oak, however, is seldom quarter-sawed because of its poor silver 

 grain. 



The bark is used extensively in the tanneries ; it is this tannic 

 extract that has named the tree Tanbark Oak. 



Tree large, usually divided into several main branches. 



Bark very dark, fissured in deep, rough ridges. 



Leaves resembling Chestnut without the pronounced toothed 



x s> 

 margin. 



Fruit acorns, single or in pairs ; nuts more than half im- 

 bedded in round, scaly cups. 



