2O WOOD-USING INDUSTRIES 



WHITE OAK 



Oak is aibundant in tihe three regions of Virginia and, according 

 to the botanist, twelve different species are cut for lumber. The 

 manufacturers, however, divide them usually into two groups, white 

 oak and red oak, and this broad classification accounts for not more 

 of the species being shown in the tables of this report. The former 

 class includes the true white oak (Quercus alba), chestnut oak, (in 

 some parts of the State called rock oak) bur oak,, live oak, cow oak, 

 and post oak. The second group is led by the true red oak(Qnercus 

 rubra) from which the group gets its name, followed by Spanish oak, 

 scarlet oak, pin oak, black or yellow oak, willow oak, and water and 

 laurel oaks. 



The white oak class is more widely demanded by Virginia 

 manufacturers than any of the hardwoods and follows the pines in 

 quantity purchased. The average price was greater than that shown 

 for any of the species of yellow pine and 1 $1.30 more than tjhe red oak 

 class. The forests of the State furnished over 66 per cent of the total. 

 The imported white oak was grown principally in North Carolina and 

 West Virginia, but Indiana and Kentucky sent quantities of high 

 grades, mostly quarter-sawed. 



The true white oak tree is the most abundant of Virginia's 

 oak trees. The upper Piedmont and Mountain regions is where the 

 greatest number of stands are found. Chestnut oak, growing chiefly 

 in the mountains, like white oak is one of the most durable of the 

 oaks and for structural purposes is in great demand. The tanners 

 pay high prices for the bark of this tree. The Virginia post oak does 

 not grow to large size and only a small per cent of the stiand is cut 

 into lumber. lit serves its greatest use as railroad ties. Cow (or 

 basloet) oak and live oak which rarely appears are found in eastern 

 Virginia, the cow oaks in swamps with the gums and the live oak on 

 high ground. They form only a small part of the white oak lumber 

 cut and are seldom used by the manufacturers. The wood of these 

 trees being exceedingly durable they are highly desired for structural 

 purposes in exposed and damp situations. 



RED GUM 



Red gum or sweet gum is most abundant in the Southeastern part of 

 Virginia as it thrives best on the rioh soil of bottom landte aid swamps. 

 It is not related as the common name indicates t'o the other gums, 

 black grim, water gum, and cotton gum, though it often associates 

 with them in the forest. The red gum has a starlike leaf and bears its 



