Handbook of Trees of the Xortiiern States and Canadj 



130 



One of the commonest and largest of the 

 Oaks of the Athmtie states, the Red Oak, in 

 the forest sometimes surpasses 100 ft. in height 

 with columnar trunk 3 or 4 ft. or more in 

 diameter, \\hen isolated from other trees it 

 develops a wide rounded top with few large 

 far reaching branches. It inhabits rich up- 

 huuls, well drained slopes and river banks, in 

 coiMp:iiiy with the White and Red Pines, Aspen, 

 Balsam Poplar. Red Maple, etc., among which 

 its sliinjng dark green foliage shows in pleas- 

 ing contrast. Seeming jjossessed of a con- 

 stitution hardier or more ada])talde than other 

 Oaks it ranges farther north than any other 

 species and is more abundantly grown in Eu- 

 rope than any other American Oak. 



The wood of tiiis species, though inferior to 

 that of the \Yhite Oak, is largely used for in- 

 terior finishing, furniture, etc. A cu. ft. when 

 absolutely dry weighs 40.70 Ibs.i 



Lrares oval to obovate. .5-0 in. Ion?, obtuse or 

 rounded at base, acute or acuminate at apex, pin- 

 nately divided about half way to midrib witli 

 oblique sinuses rounded at the bottom and tri- 

 angular lobes broad at base and l-;^-toothed at 

 ape.K with bristle-pointed teeth, at maturity glab- 

 rous dark green above, paler and usually glabrous 

 beneath. Flankers (MayJune) : staminate in 

 pubescent aments, .*?-"> in. long ; calyx 4-5-lobed ; 

 stamens 40: pistillate flowers with glabrous 

 peduncles : styles elongated and spreading. Fruit, 

 ripe in October, of the second year after flowering 

 solitary or in pairs, with short stalk ; acorn oval 

 with broad flat base, %-li/4 in. long, shell to- 

 mentose inside, abortive ovules apical, acorn sub- 

 tended by a very shallow saucer of closely im- 

 bricated puberulous scales.- 



1. A. W., I. 1.-.. 



2. I-^or genus see pp. i:!0-4."n. 



