INDIGENOUS TREES AND SHRUBS. 7 



Its leaves are oblong or lance-like. The acorns are small, set prettily in 

 slightly scaly cups, and are sweeter than those of any other species in the 

 United States. The bark is whitish, sometimes plated. The wood is yel- 

 lowish. Its pores are irregularly disposed, quite numerous, hence not 

 equal in strength and durability with some of the other oaks. 



the bur oak, Quercus macroeapa. 



The Bur Oak, known also as the Over-cup or Mossy-cup White Oak, is 

 common throughout the state and country at large. It is found growing 

 in all kinds of soil. According to Bell, its northern limit north of Lake 

 Superior is near the international boundary. 



The leaves are larger than any other oak in the United States, some- 

 times fifteen inches long and eight inches broad, notched near the summit 

 and lance shape; "obovate" (broad end upward), or oblong lyrately pin- 

 natifid (lobed like a lyre) of various shapes, pale or downy beneath, smooth 

 above. Its oval-shaped acorns are larger than those of any other American 

 species. The cup is thick and rugged, covering about two-thirds of the 

 acorn, hard pointed scales, the upper ones, tapering into bristly points, 

 making a mossy fringed border. Sometimes, however, more especially in 

 compact forests, these flexible filaments are absent, the edge smooth and 

 bent inward. 



The fructification of the Bur Oak is not abundant. On sterile soil it is 

 small. On the alluvial bottoms or any other deep, rich soil, it towers up 

 majestic, sound and full-meated, like the white oak which it there resem- 

 bles. In such localities its timber is by no means second-handed. In its 

 best estate it grows sixty or more feet high, having tall and far-reach- 

 ing limbs, laden with dark tufted foliage. Its bark resembles the Cork- 

 bark Elm. This hardy oak deserves more credit than itreceives,and should 

 be planted more extensively. 



jack or bear oak, Quercus Banisteri. Nuttall. 



The Jack, or Bear Oak, known also as Black Jack, is indigenous to 

 Minnesota, and is very prolific where it gets a foothold, especially in the 

 more barren and sandy sections. It is bushy, often not more than three 

 to four feet high, but sometimes, in favorable localities, will tower up 

 from 15 to 20 or more feet. It grows in clusters, sometimes literally 

 covering acres, forming so dense thickets as to prevent the passage of 

 cattle; would, therefore, make a superior wind break, and in winter, is 

 equal to, if not better than, evergreen hedges, for its leaves hang on the 

 limbs, and no wind seems strong enough to remove them until the buds of 

 spring push them out of the way. No tree in Minnesota is more hardy. 

 "It is an excellent tree to plant for shelter belts," says Mr. Hodges, "serv- 

 ing the same purpose in this regard as the evergreens to screen the farms 

 from the cold blasts of winter." It also makes an excellent fuel. 



gray oak, Quercus borealis. 



It is located on Prairie River, attainig a height of fifty feet and a 

 diameter of ten inches. It bears a close resemblance in foliage to the red 



