HABITS AND GROWTH. 



White oak does not demand rich soil, but can maintain itself fairly 

 well except on cold, wet land with an impenetrable subsoil. It 

 reaches its best development, however, on rich, moist, well-drained 

 loam, or clay loam, and prefers protected situations. Bottomlands 

 and sheltered coves offer the ideal conditions. It is a fairly hardy 

 species and resists both drought and cold, although somewhat sus- 

 ceptible to very low temperature. The young trees are liable to 

 damage from wind. 



For thrifty growth white oak needs plenty of light, although it 

 will exist in partial shade. Young seedlings are tolerant and will 

 start under dense shade, but they will not live long unless light is 

 admitted. 



In early life white oak is not so vigorous as red oak. Growth is 

 slow but persistent, and trees attain great age. Forest-grown white 

 oak requires an average of ten years for every inch of diameter incre- 

 ment, and this rate of growth often remains uniform until the tree is 

 more than one hundred years old. The average annual height 

 growth during such a period is about 8 inches. Under the more 

 favorable conditions that usually prevail in a planted forest the rate 

 of growth would be somewhat higher. 



ECONOMIC USES. 



The wood of white oak ranks among the best in general usefulness 

 and is superior to that of other species of oak. It is ashy gray in 

 color and is strong, heavy, hard, tough, close-grained, and very 

 durable. It shrinks considerably and checks badly unless carefully 

 dried. This tendency is more marked in white oak than in other 

 oaks. The wood is used extensively in shipbuilding, heavy con- 

 struction work, tight cooperage, vehicle manufacture, farm imple- 

 ments, ties, posts, piling, and for furniture and interior finish, often 

 in the form of veneers. So great is the economic value of this wood 

 that the available supply is being rapidly exhausted. 



Practically no measures have been taken for the. propagation of 

 white oak. This is chiefly because its growth is so slow that planta- 

 tions would give a very low margin of profit. Natural reproduction 

 should, however, be encouraged and protected. Sprout forests of 

 white oak can be managed at small expense for the purpose of yield- 

 ing ties and posts, and can be made profitable if near the market. 

 For ornament the tree is very desirable because of its form and 

 hardiness. 



METHODS OF PROPAGATION. 



White oak reproduces itself by seeds and sprouts. The young trees 

 sprout freely from the stump, so that where ties, posts, or small 



[Cir. 10G] 



