CHESTNUT OAK 239 



poses that White Oak is, and the tree may be accepted 

 us u White Oiik adapted to growing in wet ground. 



Its propagation should be undertaken along the same 

 lines as White Oak, although it does not develop a promi- 

 nent tap-root except when growing on dry ground. It ma- 

 tures its seed in one year. Unfortunately it does not shed 

 its lower limbs readily even when crowded, but these are 

 seldom large enough to injure the lumber seriously. Close 

 planting may modify that characteristic; anyway, close 

 planting would have that tendency. No information can 

 be obtained that its propagation has ever been attempted. 

 There would certainly be no reason to undertake its culti- 

 vation where White Oak will grow, but it may be under- 

 taken where White Oak will not thrive. 



There is another Swamp White Oak, Quercus lyrata, 

 commonly called "Overcup Oak," ranging from northern 

 Maryland southward to northern Florida and westward to 

 northeastern Missouri. Its name, " Overcup," was bestowed 

 upon it because the cup nearly or quite covers the acorn. 

 Its general characteristics are practically the same as that 

 of the Swamp White Oak just described, and hence a de- 

 tailed account of this one would be superfluous. Aside from 

 some little difficulty in seasoning, its wood is as valuable 

 as that of the other. 



CHESTNUT OAK : ROCK OAK : Quercus prinus 



IN their general outline the leaves of this Oak resemble 

 those of the well-known Chestnut (Castaneadentata), and 

 hence the name " Chestnut Oak." In some sections it is 

 known as " Tan Oak," because its bark is rich in tannin, the 

 most so of any of the Oaks ; and, as it frequently grows in 

 rocky situations, it is sometimes called " Rock Oak." It is 

 very common in the Appalachian Mountains from Pennsyl- 

 vania to northern Georgia and Alabama. Its best develop- 

 ment is on the lower mountains of eastern Tennessee and 

 Kentucky and in the western part of the Carolinas, where 



