RATE OF GROWTH. 47 



Summary of measurements of nine n;hite-oak trees, under good conditions of growth, on Catawba River 



near Marion, N. C 



Age years. . 141 



Diameter of stump, inside bark inches. . 25. 8 



Average increase in diameter of stump for each decade do 1.8 



Increase in diameter for last ten years do 1. 1 



Height feet. . 109 



Length of merchantable timber do 47 



Merchantable timber feet B. M. . 847 



Scarlet oak. Scarlet oak grows more rapidly than any other of the Southern 

 Appalachian oaks. A group of six trees was measured on Table Kock Creek, 

 McDowell County, N. C, and the measurements of single trees at other places 

 show these trees may be assumed to represent the average diameter growth of 

 the species in this region except at high elevations or on very poor dry soils. 



Summary of measurements of six scarlet-oak trees in McDowell County, N. C. 



Age years . . 131 



Diameter of stump, inside bark inches. . 24. 6 



Average increase in diameter of stump for each decade do 1.7 



Increase in diameter for last ten years do 1.3 



Height feet.. 83 



Length of merchantable timber do 29 



Merchantable timber feet B. M. . 690 



These may be considered fully mature specimens of the scarlet oak, as trees 

 with a diameter of more than 25 inches on the stump inside of the bark are 

 uncommon. Specimens of scarlet oak 20 inches or more in diameter are generally 

 unsound, so that it is probable that decline begins at a much smaller size. 



Red oak. The red oak grows slower than the scarlet oak, but reaches the 

 largest size and maintains its growth longer than any other oak of the region. 

 It is found throughout the area examined and is common from an elevation of 

 1,500 feet to the summits of the highest mountains. It shows, like the white oak, 

 wide variations in increment under different conditions and at different elevations. 

 Six trees were measured on Yellow Creek, Graham Count}^ N. C, and their 

 rate of growth is probably near the average for the species, under normal 

 conditions, below an elevation of 3,500 feet. 



