Overcup Oak 



335 



stalked, or in clusters of 2 or 3, very variable as to size and shape; nut subglobose 

 or broadly oblong, 2 to 5 cm. long, hairy at the apex; cup deeply hemispheric or 

 subglobose, 2 to 5 cm. across, Hght brownish hair)^ inside, embracing one third to 

 one half of the nut, the large scales ovate, pointed, the basal ones thick and tuber- 

 culate, the upper ones taper-pointed or prolonged into thread-hke tips, often form- 

 ing a deep fringe around the rim. 



The wood is hard, strong and tough, close-grained, light or dark brown; its 

 specific gravity is about 0.74. It is quite durable and is used in all kinds of 

 construction work, cabinet work, and for all purposes for which White oak is 

 used and from which it is not usually distinguished in commerce. 



As a shade tree it is most useful as well as beautiful, as its resistance to smoke 

 is greater than most other oaks. Its large size, however, requires that it be given 

 ample space in which to develop. 



It is also called Mossy cup oak, Overcup oak. Blue oak. Scrub oak, Overcup 

 white oak. Mossy cup white oak. Supposed hybrids with Q. Muhlenbergii have 

 been observed in Kansas and Missouri. 





54. OVERCUP OAK Quercus lyrata Walter 



This beautiful oak is an inhabitant of river swamps or other wet soils that are 

 frequently overflowed, from Maryland to Missouri southward to Florida and 

 Texas, attaining a maximum height of 35 meters, with a trunk diameter of i m. 



The trunk frequently divides into several principal branches or main stems, 

 but is often tall and erect with stout lower horizontal branches. The bark is up 

 to 2.5 cm. thick, fissured into thick plates which are thin-scaly and light or red- 

 dish gray. The twigs are slender, reddish green and hairy, becoming smooth, 

 orange or gray brown, finally pale gray or hght 

 brown. The winter buds are ovoid, blunt, 3 

 mm. long, brown and slightly hairy. The leaves 

 are obovate or spatulate in outline, 10 to 20 cm. 

 long, lyrately pinnatifid into 5 to 9 lobes; the 

 middle pair of sinuses are deep and broad at 

 the bottom; the lobes near the apex are much 

 longe# than those below; the apex is pointed, 

 the base usually wedge-shaped ; they are smooth, 

 green and shining above, pale, white hair)^ or 

 green beneath, with a stout yellowish midrib 

 and prominent venation, turning bright scarlet 

 or orange before falhng in the autumn ; the leaf- 

 stalk is stout, grooved, smooth or hair}^, 5 to 20 



mm. long. The flowers appear with the leaves p-^^ 292. -Overcup Oak. 



in March or April, the staminate catkins slender 

 and hair)', 10 to 15 cm. long; calyx- lobes sharp-pointed, hair\' and light yellow; 



