THE OAKS: WHITE OAK CLASS 



OP the two hundred and fifty species of Oaks in the 

 world nearly fifty can be credited to the United States, and 

 of these not more than fifteen, if as many, can be classed 

 as valuable timber trees. The lumber trade makes three 

 general classes, Red, White, and Live Oak, and of these 

 the White Oak class is by far the most important. While 

 there is a difference in the character of the lumber produced 

 from the several species of the White Oak class, the con- 

 sumer, unless an expert, will seldom detect the difference, 

 nor will he be much the loser if he does not. Except for 

 special purposes, such as tight cooperage and the like, the 

 lumber of nearly all species of White Oak now manufac- 

 tured is equally serviceable. And so, too, it is with the Red 

 Oak class one tree being about as good as another. But 

 there is a wide difference between the two classes. There are 

 certain features in the wood of the White Oak class that 

 the Red Oak class does not possess, and the distinction be- 

 tween the two should always be understood and insisted 

 upon by both buyer and seller. The division is one based 

 not only on the structural and economic differences in the 

 wood, but on botanical disagreement. In the White Oak 

 class the wood is stronger, more durable, especially when 

 exposed to the weather or in contact with the ground, and 

 is adapted to more economic purposes. One of the botani- 

 cal differences is with few exceptions that the seeds of the 

 White Oak class mature in one year while those of the 

 Red Oak class require two years. 1 



1 There are two Oaks on the Pacific Slope clearly belonging 1 to the White 

 Oak class that require two years for their acorns to mature, and two as clearly 

 of the Red Oak class that mature theirs in one year. In all other respects 

 they agree with their respective classes. They are of no importance as tim- 

 ber trees. 



