FOREST RESOURCES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 473 



durable, bnt more porous than white or post oak. It splits easily, and is used for 

 baskets and brooms. Rails will last 12 to 15 years, and are valuable as fuel. Two 

 varieties occur, the discolor aud the monV.cola, by some botanists classed as species. 

 The former, known as " Swamp White Oak," grows 70 to 80 feet high, with tiujber 

 closely approaching the white oak in value, being strong, elastic, and heavier. The 

 latter, known as "Rock Chestnut Oak," grows on high,rocky, or gravelly locations 

 in the middle and upper districts ; grows iJO to GO feet high and 3 feet in diameter, 

 but usually not more than 30 to 40 feet. Timber valuable, but pores open. As a 

 fuel it is inferior only to hickory, and its bark is highly valued for tanning. 



5. Chestnut Oak {Q. casianea). A single tree seen by Michaux on Capo Fear River, 

 and ijossibly found in the western part of the State. 



6. Chinquapin Oak (Q.jrrinoi(fes). Sometimes known as " Dwarf Chestnut Oak." A 

 shrub 2 to 4 feet high and of no value. Occurs sparingly in the lower district and 

 on poor soils elsewhere. 



7. Live Oak (Q. virens). Along the coast ; 40 to 50 feet high and 1 to 2 feet through. 

 Most esteemed for ship-building and its bark for tanning. 



8. Willow Oak (Q. phellos). On the borders of swamps in the lower district, where 

 it grows 50 to 60 feet high and 2 feet in diameter; occasionally in the middle dis- 

 trict. Wood very coarse-grained and inferior. 



9. Laurel Oak (Q. lanrifolia). In the lower and middle districts, in similar localities 

 as the preceding, but it grows well in higher and drier grounds, and is a common 

 and much-admired shade-tree in towns, especially in the lower parts of the State. 



10. Shingle Oak {Q. imhricaria). This takes the place of the preceding in the upper 

 district, not being fouud east of Burke and Wilkes. From thence westward it 

 becomes more abundant along the larger water-conrses, especially those that flow 

 west, as the Pigeon and Hiawassee. Grows 40 to 50 feet high and 12 to 15 inches in 

 diameter, branches low, and casts a thick shade with its dark foliage. Wood hard 

 and heavy, but porous. 



11. Upland Willow Oak (Q. cinerea). Only in the pine barrens of the lower district 

 where it is generally diffused. Rarely over 20 feet high and 6 inches in diameter 

 Bark used in dyeing yellow. Too small and too scarce to be of importance. A 

 dwarf variety, the pumila, rarely reaches 3 feet high, and bears acorns profusely 

 at 15 to 20 inches. Found only in the lower district, especially near Wilmington. 



12. Water Oak (Q. aqnaiica). Abundant in the lower district, and in some parts of the 

 middle, on the borders of swamps, and in river bottoms. It grows 40 to 50 feet 

 high and 12 to 20 inches in diameter. Bark seldom used for tanning. Wood very 

 tough, but not much usefl. 



13. Black Jack {Q. nigra). A small and unsightly tree, from the coast to the mount- 

 ains. Seldom over 30 feet high and 12 inches in diameter. Decays rapidly, and 

 the wood is heavy and compact in large trees, but coarse and porous in small ones. 

 Very valuable as a fuel. 



14. Spanish Oak (Q.falcata). One of the commonest of forest trees, from the coast to 

 the mountains, but diminishes in quantity westward. Often over 80 feet high 

 and 4 to 5 feet in diameter. Wood less durable and coarser than white oak, and 

 bark highly valued for tanning. 



15. Black Oak (Q. tinctoria). Most abundant in the upper part of the State. If in the 

 lower district, it must occur sparingly. Wood reddish, coarse-grained, and porous, 

 and bark highly valued for dyeing wool, calico, silk, and paper-hanging, furnishing' 

 the qiiercilroH of commerce. 



16. Scarlet Oak ^Q. coccinea). Abounds chiefly in the middle and upper districts, not 

 being generally diffused in the lower. Wood similar to the preceding, but not very 

 durable nor useful. Both sometimes used for staves for holding dry articles. 



17. Red Oak (Q. ruhra). In the lower district found sparingly. 



18. Scrub Oak {Q. Cateslad). Only fouud on the sandy barrens of the lower district, 

 but may be found from tie coast westward to Richmond and Moore Counties. 

 Seldom 35 feet high, and usually 10 to 15. Bark used for tanning, but too scanty 

 for value. 



19. Bear Oak {Q. ilicifolia). A shrub, 3 to 5 feet high. Very rare, and worthless, ex- 



cept as an indicator of barren soil. 



HICKORIES. 



1. Shell-Bark Hickory (Carya alio). Not abundant in any part of the State, and least 



of all in the lower district. Timber superior for all uses requiring elasticity and 

 strength, but not durable when exposed to weather. 



2. Thick Shell- Bark Hickohy {C. sulcata). Not seen by Mr. Curtis in the State, but- 



cited on authority of others. 



3. Com?ion Hickory {C.toven'om). Comn^on in all the forests from the coast to the 



mountains, and the cnly hickory that occurs in the barrens. About CO feet high, 

 and 18 to 20 inches in diameter. 



4. Pig-Nut Hickory (C. glabra). Disseminated among other hickories. 



