WHITE OAK (Quercus alba, Linn.). 60 to 150 feet; trunk 3 

 to 8 feet. A large tree, tall in the forest, low and broad- 

 domed in the open fields. Bark pale gray, broken into small 

 thin plates. Wood tough, strong, heavy, hard, durable, light 

 brown, with prominent medullary rays. Buds short, round, 

 smooth, clustered at tip of twigs. Leaves alternate, 5 to 9 

 inches long, obovate or oblong with 7 to 9 rounded or finger- 

 shaped lobes, and deep, rounded sinuses between petioles 

 stout; color red at first, with white silky lining, then bright 

 green above, paler beneath; in autumn deep red, pale purplish 

 beneath. Flowers in May; staminate catkins, hairy, 2^ to 2 

 inches long, yellow; pistillate, 1 to 2 on short stems, stamens 

 bright red. Acorns annual, on short or long stems; cup shallow, 

 thin, with closely appressed scales; nut of long, shiny brown, 

 to 1 inch long, sweet, edible. Dist.: Rich, well-drained soil. 

 Southern Maine to Florida,; west to Minnesota, Kansas, and 

 Texas. A lumber tree of highest rank. Bark used in tan 

 ning leather. Wood used in naval architecture, in house- 

 building, and inside finishing; for furniture, agricultural im- 

 plements, cooperage, railroad ties, and fuel. 



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