TANBARK OAK 363 



Oak in the region west of the eastern foothills of the 

 Rocky Mountains, efforts should be made to cultivate it, 

 at all events, to encourage natural reproduction. 



Tanbark Oak. Strictly speaking, this tree is not an 

 Oak, but a link between an Oak and a Chestnut. Its 

 leaves resemble those of the Chestnut, even more so than 

 do those of the eastern species of Chestnut Oak, while the 

 acorns are similar to those of an Oak, and it takes two 

 years for them to mature. It is the only one of its genus on 

 this continent, though there are several in China and Japan. 

 It is classed, however, as an Oak by lumbermen, and for all 

 practical purposes such classification is not objectionable. 

 It is botanically known as Pasania densiflora. It is not 

 a first-class timber tree, but is worthy of consideration in 

 a region where there are few useful hardwoods, and where 

 the extensive use of its bark for tanning adds to its value. 

 Its range is from southwestern Oregon to southern Cali- 

 fornia, generally at from sea level to four thousand and five 

 thousand feet elevation. It is seldom found over seventy- 

 five feet in height and two feet in diameter, but larger 

 trees are occasionally met with. On high elevations it 

 may not exceed ten feet in height, and its characteristics 

 there are so modified as to raise question as to its identity. 



The wood is dense, fine-grained, strong, very hard, brit- 

 tle, this latter feature varying with age, reddish brown, 

 with thick, darker- brown sapwood. The wood is now mainly 

 used for fuel and the bark for tanning, although the wood, 

 if properly treated, would do well for interior finish, fur- 

 niture, and many other purposes. It is now being recklessly 

 cut and destroyed, mainly for the bark. Little or no effort 

 appears to have been made to care for its preservation and 

 none towards its cultivation. It is a prolific seeder and the 

 seedlings stand considerable shade. It sprouts vigorously 

 from the stump, producing permanent stems. With proper 

 treatment there is no doubt but that natural reproduction 

 would maintain an abundant supply. 



