FORKED-LEAF WHITE OAK 



(Quercus Lyrata) 



THE leaf gives this tree its name in the best part of its southern 

 range. The tree bears much resemblance to the bur oak on the 

 one hand, and swamp white oak on the other. The names by which 

 it is known in different regions indicate as much. 



In North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Missis- 

 sippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Illinois it is commonly known as 

 overcup; in Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Mis- 

 souri it is called the swamp post oak; the name water white oak is 

 applied to it in Mississippi and parts of South Carolina; swamp white 

 oak in Texas; forked-leaf white oak among lumbermen in several of the 

 southern states. The last name scarcely describes the leaf, for no one is 

 apt to notice any fork, unless his attention is called to it. The fact is, 

 the name forked-leaf oak is applied oftener to the turkey oak (Quercus 

 catesb&i) than to this one. However, since the ranges of the two 

 species are not the same, misunderstandings in practice are not apt to 

 arise as to which is meant when the forked leaf is referred to. The fact 

 that turkey oak belongs in the black oak group, ripening its acorns in two 

 years, and this one is a white oak with one year acorns, is of further 

 assistance in keeping the species separate. 



The range of the forked-leaf white oak is from Maryland, along the 

 Potomac river near the District of Columbia, southward to parts of 

 Florida; westward through the Gulf states to the Trinity river in Texas; 

 throughout Arkansas, sections of Missouri, central Tennessee, southern 

 Illinois and Indiana. 



It shows preference for river swamps, and small deep depressions 

 in rich bottom lands where moisture is always abundant. It has never 

 amounted to much in the Atlantic states, and its best development is 

 found in the moist, fertile valley of Red river in Louisiana, and in certain 

 parts of Arkansas and Texas. Its geographical range is pretty large, but 

 as a timber tree it is confined to a comparatively restricted region west of 

 the Mississippi. Good trees are found in other parts of its range. 

 Lumbermen do not find it in extensive forests or pure stands, but isolat- 

 ed trees or small groups occur with other hardwoods. 



This species of oak grows occasionally to a height of 100 feet, 

 though its average is about seventy feet. It has a trunk two to three 

 feet in diameter, which spreads out after attaining a height of fifteen or 

 twenty feet, into small, often pendulous branches, forming a symmetrical 

 round top. The branchlets are green, slightly tinged with red; covered 



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