112 ECONOMIC BOTANY OF ALABAMA 



The oaks of eastern North America have been divided into 

 two large groups, which have been given the subgeneric names of 

 Lcifcobalaiius (white oaks) and Mclaiwbalaiius (black oaks). 

 Those of the first group have pale soft bark (except Q. iiiontaiia), 

 leaves usually with rounded lobes, and more or less edible acorns 

 maturing in one year ; while the others are characterized by dark, 

 hard (usually rough) bark, less valuable wood, leaves with their 

 ends (and lobes, if any) bristle-tipped, and bitter acorns ripening 

 the second year. 



The first group can be further divided into three sections, the 

 white and post oaks, with lobed (or in a few species nearly entire) 

 leaves, the chestnut oaks, with sinuate-toothed many-veined leaves 

 suggesting those of the chestnut (whence the name), and the live 

 oaks, usually with small entire evergreen leaves. (One or two of 

 the last, however, have coarsely toothed leaves suggesting the black 

 oak group.) The black group is further divided into the red and 

 black oaks, with large lobed deciduous leaves, and the water and 

 willow oaks, most of which have narrow leaves (evergreen or 

 nearly so in some species), smoothish bark, and small acorns. 



WHITE AND POST OAKS 



Quercus alba, L. White Oak. 



A large, common, and well-known tree, probably the most im- 

 portant of all our oaks. It is recommended as one of the best for 

 planting in lawns and parks. The wood has almost every desirable 

 quality, such as durability, strength, elasticity, and straight grain. 

 Logs of it are hewn into cross-ties, and small poles used for levers, 

 wagon-standards, etc. Large sawed timbers make strong beams 

 for bridges, houses and ships. Smaller stiff pieces enter into the 

 construction of the best furniture, book-cases, parts of cotton 

 presses and various other machines, felloes and other parts of 

 vehicles, barrel-heads, and interior finish. Its toughness and elas- 

 ticity make it the best available wood for staves, hoops, and home- 

 made cotton baskets. In Circular 53 of the U. S. Forest Service 

 ( January, 1!)07), is this interesting statement: "An industry more 

 completely de])endent upon one species of timber than is tight 

 cooperage would be difficult to find. Tight cooperage depends 

 upon white oak, and white oak of good quality." 



