103 



would be sorry that regulations were not adopted to conserve the supply 

 of this valuable tree. Michaux's prediction has come true, and yet no 

 constructive measures have been provided to insure the Nation an ade- 

 quate supply of this timber. It should be remembered that it requires 

 two to three hundred years to grow a white oak a meter in diameter, 

 and if we are to have white oak of that size in the next generation the 

 largest of our present stand must be spared for that harvest. 



White oak was formerly much used in construction work, but it has 

 become so costly that cheaper woods take its place. At present it is 

 used principally in cooperage, interior finish, wagon and car stock, 

 furniture, agricultural implements, crossties, and veneer. Indiana has 

 the reputation of furnishing the best grade of white oak in the world. 



Little attention has been given this valuable species either in horti- 

 cultural or forestal planting. This no doubt is due in a great measure 

 to the slow growth of the tree. It should be used more for shade tree, 

 ornamental and roadside tree planting. There are good reasons why 

 white oak should be much used in reforestation. The cheapest and 

 most successful method of propagating white oak is to plant the seed 

 in the places where the trees are desired to grow. This is best done by 

 planting the acorns as soon as they fall or are mature. The best results 

 will be obtained if the nuts are planted with the small end down, and 

 covered about an inch deep with earth. If the ground is a hard clay 

 soiland the small end of the nut is placed down a half inch of earth on 

 the nut is sufficient. Rodents often destroy the nuts, and if this 

 danger is apprehended it is best to poison the rodents or to stratify the 

 seed, or grow seedlings and plant them when they are one year old. In 

 forestal planting it is suggested that the planting be 4 x 4 feet. 



The white oak is quite variable in the lobing of the leaves, and in 

 size and shape of the fruit, and in the length of its peduncle. The 

 variable lobing of the leaves has lead several authors to describe var- 

 ieties based on this character. The latest is that of Sargent 1 who des- 

 scribes: "The trees with leaves less deeply divided, with broad rounded 

 lobes and usually smaller generally sessile fruit," as Quercus alba 

 variety latiloba. 



Quercus alba x Muhlenbergii (X Quercus Deami Trelease). This 

 rare hybrid was discovered in a woods about 3 miles northwest of 

 Bluffton Indiana by L. A. Williamson and his son E. B. Williamson in 

 1904. 2 



The tree is still standing and in 1918 bore a heavy crop of seed. A 

 liberal quantity was sent for propagation to the Arnold Arboretum, 

 New York Botanical Gardens, and Missouri Botanical Gardens. The 



4Mfhybrid B was Scribed" in* the Report of the Indiana State Board of Forestry for 

 1911. 



