242 WHITE OAK CLASS 



and durable. The heartwood is a rich yellowish brown, 

 sometimes quite dark, with a thin, light-colored sapwood. 

 Its annual rings are conspicuous and spring and summer 

 wood are quite distinct. It has broad, conspicuous medul- 

 lary rays, which add to its good qualities when used for 

 furniture or interior finish. It is used for substantially all 

 purposes to which White Oak is adapted. 



It is a slow grower unless in rich moist soil, in which case 

 it frequently outstrips White Oak. There is apparently 

 nothing about it to prevent its cultivation in soil adapted 

 to it. It has been planted to a limited extent in the West, 

 and where conditions are favorable it flourishes. Its culti- 

 vation should evidently be along the same lines that must 

 be pursued for White Oak. Like that tree it has a tap- 

 root, but does -not appear to object so seriously to inter- 

 ference with it. Gathering and caring for its seed must be 

 the same as for other Oaks. The acorns mature in one year. 

 Probably the best distance apart to plant the acorns or 

 trees in the forest would be from five to six feet, according 

 to fertility of soil. 



Cow OAK : Quercus michauxii 



LIKE the Swamp White Oak, this tree grows along 

 streams and on the borders of swamps, and can endure 

 standing in water for some time without apparent injury. 

 Like that tree, also, its leaves resemble somewhat those of 

 the Chestnut Oak. Its bark, however, is more nearly like 

 that of the White Oak than any other. It is quite probably 

 a hybrid. There is some question whether this and the 

 Swamp White Oak are not varieties of the White Oak 

 changed by conditions of soil, climate, or surroundings. 



Its natural range is south of that occupied by the Swamp 

 White Oak, closely following the southern line of that tree's 

 range. It reaches to northern Florida and the Gulf. West- 

 ward it goes to eastern Texas, Indian Territory, and. south- 

 ern Missouri. In the forest it grows to a height of one hun- 



