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Cornell Junior Extension Bulletin 26 



28. WHITE OAK 



(Quercus alba Linnaeus) 



WhiU oak is one of the most important forest trees in the southern 

 two-thirds of the State, growing to large size and producing lumber of 

 high grade and value. It is found in moist as well as in dry locations, 

 and was once particularly abundant on what are now the best farm lands 



WHITE OAK 



Leaf and fruit, one-third natural 

 size ; twig, one-half natural size 



of the Genesee Valley. The wood is hard, heavy, strong, and durable. 

 It is highly prized for furniture, flooring, implements, ties, and in gen- 

 eral construction where strength is required. 



I'xirk — ashy gray in color, broken by shallow furrows into long, ir- 

 regular, thin scales which readily flake off; on old trunks furrows fre- 

 quently become deep. 



Twigs — medium in thickness, greenish red to gray in color, smooth, 

 sometimes covered with a bloom. 



Winter buds — clustered at end of twigs, blunt, reddish brown in color, 

 1 s inch long. 



Leaves — -alternate, simple, from 5 to 9 inches long, with from 5 to 9 

 rounded lobes, generally deeply cut toward midrib, dark green in color 

 above, paler below, frequently staying on tree over winter. 



Fruit — an acorn, either with short stalk or stalkless, maturing in one 

 year. Nut — light brown in color, %'inch long, ' | enclosed in the cup, 

 falling in September, frequently starts sprouting in late autumn. Meat 

 — white, slightly bitter. 



