Trees of New York State 193 



FAGACEAE 



Quercus rubra, var. ambigua (Michx. f.) Fer. [Quercus borealis Michx. f. ; 

 Quercus ambigua Michx. f. ; Quercus coccinea, var. ambigua Gray.] 



Gray Oak 



Habit — Similar in habit to the Bed Oak, Quercus rubra L. but never attaining 

 to the maximum size of that species. A tree usually 50-60 feet in height 

 with slicrt, massive trunk, stout limbs and a broad, symmetrical, rounded 

 crown. 



Leaves — Similar to those of the Red Oak. 



Plowers — Appearing in early June. Comparable to those of the Eed Oak. 



Fruit — Acorn approaching that of Quercus coccinea Muench. Nut oblong- 

 ovoid to obovoid, chestnut-brown and lustrous at maturity, pointed at 

 the apex, about 1 inch long, enclosed for one-fourth to one-third of its 

 length in the cup. Cup turbinate or hemispheric, thick, reddish brown 

 and pubescent within, reddish broAni and nearly smooth without. 



Winter characters — Not to be distinguished from Eed Oak in the winter 

 condition. 



Habitat — An upland species preferring well-drained sites but not exacting 

 as to soil requirements. 



Range — Insufficiently kno\\'n. Said to occur from Quebec and Ontario south- 

 ward through New York and Pennsylvania but most conimon in our state 

 along the northern border. 



Uses — The wood is said to be stronger and more durable than that of Eed 

 Oak but is not distinguished from the wood of this species in the trade. 

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