Handbook 



Tki 



F rilK XORTHKKN StATKS AM) CaNADA. 141 



This trco in tlio rich hottom-lands of the 

 Wabasli Kivcr U:\>\u i< said to attain a lipiylit 

 of nearly 200 ft., witii sturdy Imltrcssod trunk 

 ?.)inc1iiiics 7-S ft. in (iianu'tcr and 80-!M) ft. 

 to its hranclu's — dinicnsions whicli would 

 niaUo this one of tlie larsicst of the American 

 Oaks — but such a size is very exceptional, as 

 it i.s usually a niucli smaller tree. It is com- 

 mon alonjT the hanks of sticams and bottom- 

 lands of the ]\Iississip|)i ba.sin in company with 

 the Cottonwood. River Birch, Sour Gum, Sweet 

 Hum. llackberry. C, lice tree. Red and Silver 

 Maples, etc. In the extreme western [)art of 

 its range it is sometimes found fruiting as a 

 large shrub. 



Its wood is considered by lumbermen as of 

 better grade than that of the Northern Red 

 Oak. It is applied to the same uses as that 

 timber and is generally not distinguished from 

 it in commerce. 2 



Leaves ovate to broad oval, SV^-S in. Ion?, trun- 

 cate or broad wedge-shaped at liase, deeplj' pin 

 natifld with broad rounded sinuses and ">-0 

 spreading lobes narrow below and spreading.' and 

 dentate at apex with bristle-pointed teeth, at ma- 

 turity thin, firm and shinin'i diirk s;reen above 

 paler and with tufts of whitish hairs in axils be- 

 neath. Flowers: staminate in slender pubescent 

 aments ; calyx 4-.") with laciniately cut lobes; 

 pistillate with short tomentose peduncles, stigmas 

 red. Fruit usually solitary, sessile or with short 

 stalks, ovoid, puberulons light brown acorn, Vj-lVj 

 in. long, sometimes striated. 2-;! times as high as 

 the shallow or somewhat turbinate cup with thin 

 closely appressed light brown tomentose scales. 



1. Syn. Qiierciis Schneukii Britt 



■_'. A. W. XII, -I'.ii. 



