RED OAK (Quercus rubra, Linn.). 50 to 150 feet. Large, 

 spreading, round-domed tree, with stout branches and slender 

 twigs. Bark reddish brown, tinged with gray, furrowed 

 deeply between broad, broken ridges; twigs red, smooth, after 

 leaves fall. Wood reddish brown, coarse-grained, heavy, 

 hard, strong, with large rings and medullary rays; used in 

 construction and finish of houses, for furniture, cooperage, and 

 fuel. . Inferior to white oak. Leaves 5 to 9 inches long, thin, 

 oblong or obovate, variable hi shape, with 7 to 9 triangular 

 lobes, set off by triangular sinuses, tipped by teeth and bristly 

 points. Upper surface smooth, dull green above, yellow- 

 green, tufted with rusty hairs below. Red in autumn. Flow- 

 ers May, staminate catkins 4 to 5 inches long, clustered, hairy; 

 pistillate on short 2- to 3-flowered stalks; stigmas green, long. 

 A-corns ripe second autumn, large, 1 to 1| inches long, broad 

 at base, set in shallow, scaly saucer, reddish brown, fuzzy- 

 lined. Kernel bitter, white. Dist.: Stream borders, rich 

 woodlands, Nova Scotia to Minnesota; south to Georgia, 

 Tennessee, and Kansas. Yields tanbark. Superb, quick- 

 growing shade and ornamental tree. 



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