The Oaks 



The leaf broadens to its apex and ends in three indistinct lobes 

 of variable size and form, whose ribs protrude into the bristly 

 points that characterise the black oak group. The obovate or 

 pear-shaped outline is constant, h.owever the lobing may vary. 



The function of this ragged little tree is to clothe sterile 

 ground from New York to Nebraska, and south to Florida and 

 Texas. What it lacks in beauty it makes up for in a certain 

 admirable ruggedness of character. The leaves are not as other 

 oak leaves, and the tree's habit is as handsome as one could 

 expect considering the worthless ground assigned it by Nature. 



The Water Oak (Qiiercus nigra, Linn.) is a good-sized tree, 

 with a leaf of somewhat similar outline, but thinner texture than 

 those of the black jack. It is a favourite shade tree in the Southern 

 States. It grows naturally along the borders of streams and 

 swamps, but is easily transplanted, grows rapidly and thrives 

 in cultivation. Its shining leaves, blue-green above, paler below, 

 vary from entire margins to lobing as deep as the average red 

 oak shows. The acorn is a squat little nut in a shallow cup, set 

 with fme scales. 



Willow Oak {Qiiercus Phellos, Linn.) A graceful, quick- 

 growing tree, 60 to 80 feet high, with slender branches that form 

 a conical, round-topped head. Bark rather rough, reddish brown, 

 with scaly surface; young trees, smooth, ll^ood pale, red-brown, 

 coarse grained, strong, soft, heavy; sap wood lighter in colour. 

 Btids small, acute, brown. Leaves alternate, leathery, short 

 petioled, 2 to 5 inches long, linear like willow leaves, but obtuse 

 at apex and base; upper surface bright green and glossy; lower 

 pale green, dull, smooth; autumn colour yellow. Acorns biennial, 

 not numerous, solitary or paired on short stalks; nut h inch across, 

 hemispherical, downy, yellowish brown, set in shallow saucer- 

 shaped cup; scales thin, ovate, dark reddish brown, hairy; kernel 

 orange, bitter. Preferred habitat, low, wet borders of swamps. 

 Disirihtdion, New York to northeastern Florida (in the low 

 maritime region just back from the coast); along the Gulf into 

 Texas; north in low ground into Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. 

 Uses: A fme shade and ornamental tree for Southern cities. 

 Wood used in construction. 



We think of oaks as being sturdy and rugged in their ex- 

 pression, leaving grace and delicacy to willows and birches, and 

 such. Here is an oak whose leaves are willow-like in form, size 



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