Handbook of Trees of the Nortiiebn States and Canada. 175 



This large and inipoitnnt Oak is one of the 

 most valuable tiiiil)er tires of the southern 

 states, and in forests sometimes attains the 

 height of 100 ft., with columnar trunk 3 or 4 

 ft. in diameter vested in a pale gray scaly 

 ridged bark. It is one of our handsomest Oak- 

 with its ample leaves showing alternately 

 their glossy dark green upper surfaces and 

 velvety white lower surfaces, as agitated by 

 the wind. It is confined in its distribution 

 mainly to low swampy grounds, rich bottom- 

 lands and the borders of streams subject to 

 frequent inundation, where it is found in com- 

 pany with tlie Water Hickory, Swamp Bay, 

 Planer Tree, Water and Laurel Oaks, the 

 Gums, Red IVIaple, etc. 



Its wood, of which a cubic foot when absolutely 

 dry weighs 50.10 lbs., is hard, tough, strong and 

 very durable in contact with the soil and is 

 highly valued for furniture and interior finish- 

 ing, cooperage, the manufacture of agricultural 

 iniplonicnts, fence posts, fuel, etc., and is con- 

 sidered the best of our woods for the manu- 

 facture of baskets. 1 



Leaves obovato. usually 4-8 In. long, broad, oli 

 tnse or rounded at base, acute or acuminate, i-cirii 

 larly crcnato-toothed, with 8-12 pairs of pi-iniary 

 veins terminating in the teeth, rather thick, lust- 

 rous dark green ahove. wliitisli and velvety pubes 

 rent beneath. Flmrcrs: staniinate aments slender, 

 ."1-4 in. long; pistillate with short tomentose pe- 

 duncles and sbort red stigmas. Fruit solitary 

 or in pairs, sessile or nearly so; nut I-IV2 in. in 

 li'Hgtb. ovoid-oblong and about 14 enveloped in the 

 Imary tnnienldsi' closely inibrieated pointed scales, 

 those near the base tbiek t uliereiilate. 



1. A. W., V, 116. 



