254 RED OAK CLASS 



cessful in its natural habitat, as it is a moist-ground tree 

 and may not seriously object to the destruction of such 

 tap-root as it possesses. Yet nothing but experiment can 

 determine that. There can be but little doubt that plant- 

 ing acorns would be successful. These require two years 

 to mature. It generally makes a fairly good growth, but 

 sometimes a rapid one for an Oak. 



There is another species of Oak closely resembling Q. 

 pagodcefolia, which for a time was considered only a va- 

 riety brought about by soil conditions. Like the other it 

 is commonly called Spanish Oak, but its botanical name is 

 Quercus digitata. Its natural range is nearly the same as 

 that of Q. pagodcefolia, but it grows on higher ground, 

 and does not attain the same dimensions, nor is its wood 

 as valuable, although quite like it in general appearance. 

 Both Spanish Oaks are classed in the lumber market as 

 Red Oak and the purchaser will not secure the best one 

 by naming it, for the dealer may not know which he offers. 

 The tree under consideration Q. digitata seldom at- 

 tains a height of eighty or a diameter of three feet. The 

 wood is used for coarse construction, fuel, and fencing, but 

 is not as durable as that of the other species, nor is it as 

 tough. The bark is rich in tannin. Undoubtedly propa- 

 gation would best be undertaken by planting acorns. 



PIN OAK : Quercus palustris 



PIN OAK has several common names, but the one here 

 accepted is more frequently used than any other. It does 

 not rank very high as a timber tree, even among the Red 

 Oak class, to which it belongs ; but for all that, it has some 

 redeeming qualities. It is a rapid grower for an Oak, only 

 the Red Oak excelling it. Being light-demanding, it will, 

 when crowded, grow a straight, undivided stem, with com- 

 paratively small limbs, but will persist in retaining many 

 of them, though they may grow but very little in size. It 

 does not attain the large dimensions of the Red, Spanish, 



