STUDIES OF TREES IN WINTER 



no pubescence on the bud, the edges of the scales 

 are bleached and have turned gray, the centres 

 remaining a rich reddish brown. Smooth, 

 glossy twigs, more apt to be ridged than those 

 oj the white oak. Atlernate leaf-scars. The 

 acorn is covered nearly halfway with a thick 

 cup. The kernel is sweetish and edible. 



The chestnut oak is distinguished in winter 

 by its beautiful smooth bark and by its pointed 

 buds, entirely unlike those of the other white 

 oaks. It sometimes grows to be a large tree, 

 but in New England it is usually middle-sized 

 or small. 



The wood is heavy, hard, strong, and close- 

 grained, and is used for making fences, railway 

 ties, and for fuel. The bark is rich in tannin, 

 and is used for tanning leather. 



The specific name was derived from the 

 Greek, and was the ancient name for an oak 

 tree. 



The chestnut oak is found on the banks of 

 the Saco River and near Mount Agamenticus 

 in Southern Maine, among the Blue Hills and 

 in rich woods in Massachusetts, and it becomes 

 more common as one goes south. 



The dwarf chestnut, or chinquapin oak 

 (Quercus prinoides), is the smallest member of 

 the oak family in New England, and seldom 

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