70 THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



in our forests. The leaves are larger (6 to 9 inches 

 long), than any others in this Division, not so deeply 

 cut, smooth and green on both sides, changing in the 

 Fall to dull red, then to yellow. The acorns in par- 

 ticular furnish a character which at once discrimi- 

 nates this from all the Red Oaks, they being of 

 larger size (1 inch long), and having yevj flat shaUoiv 

 cups. The wood is reddish and coarse grained, and 

 the pores very large. It is strong but not durable, 

 and is much inferior to the other Bed Oaks, though 

 staves are sometimes made of it. The bark is infe- 

 rior for tanning to that of the Black or Scarlet Oak. 



This tree extends farther north than any other of 

 our Oaks, reaching into Canada. It is tall and wide 

 spreading, sometimes over 80 feet high, and 3 to 4 

 feet in diameter. For its full development it re- 

 quires a cool arid fertile situation, and hence abounds 

 more in the interior parts of the State. In the 

 Lower District it is found but sparingly. 



18. Scrub Oak. (Q. Catesbsei, Michx.) — This 

 grows onl}^ in the sandy barrens of the Lower Dis- 

 trict, but may be found from the coast westward to 

 the counties of Richmond and Moore. I am not 

 aware of its existence north of this State, but it is 

 found southward to Florida. It seldom exceeds a 

 height of 25 feet, and is most commonly from 10 to 

 15 feet high. Among the Bed Oaks this species is 

 easily recognized, not only by its situation and hum- 

 ble size, but by the very short leaf-stem. In this last 

 particular, as well as in its habit, and in the color, 



