34 THE FOREST TREES OF UPPER CANADA. 



so common or so valuable as white oak. The Lark used in tanning, and 

 for obtaining quercitron, used in dyeing. 



6. Red Oak (Quercus rubra). — Grows extensively throughout Canada, 

 is a lofty, wide-spreading tree, of an average height of 130 feet, and of 

 70 feet to the first limb, and common at 30 inches in diameter. Makes 

 best casks for oils and molasses. Too little sought after, because of the 

 great abundance and greater value of white oak. Can be furnished in 

 the remote parts of Western Canada at 35Z. sterling per 1,000 cubic feet ; 

 freight to Quebec about 101. sterling ; specific gravity, 0.675 ; weight of 

 cubic foot, 40 lbs. ; value for heating purposes, 69 ; outside wood yields 

 20 - 5 per cent., and the inside 14 - 79 per cent, of potash. 



7. Swamp Oak (Q. prinus, var. discolor). — A beautiful tree, widely 

 diffused, attaining the height of 70 to 90 feet. Grows in swampy alluvial 

 grounds ; timber preferred to that of the red oak, resembling more the 

 white oak, and called also swamp Avhite oak. The specific name dis- 

 color or bicolor is derived from its rich and luxuriant foliage. Specific 

 gravity, 0-675 ; weight of cubic foot, 40 lbs ; value for heating pur- 

 poses, 68. 



8. Chesnut (Castanea vesca). — Grows only in the western parts of 

 Upper Canada, and on rocky or hilly lands ; a large tree, 80 to 100 feet 

 in height and 36 inches in diameter. The timber is coarse grained, 

 strong, elastic, light, and very durable ; posts of chesnut have been 

 known to stand in the ground for forty years. The young wood is very 

 elastic, and is used for rings of ship masts, hoops for tubs, &c. Chesnut 

 is distinguishable from oak in having no large transverse septa, though 

 in every other respect the two woods are remarkably similar in texture 

 and colour. The nuts are much esteemed, and sweeter than those of 

 the European variety (the Spanish chesnuts). Outside wood contains 

 4-56 per cent, of potash ; inside 273 per cent. Specific gravity, - 5 ; 

 weight of cubic foot, 32 lbs. ; value for heating purposes, 52. 



9. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra). — Grows abundantly on the rich 

 soils of the western and south-western parts of Upper Canada, of an 

 aA^erage height of 120 feet, 70 feet to the first limbs, and 36 inches in 

 diameter. Sections of the wood 6 feet in diameter are not uncommon. 

 The wood is compact, strong and tough, of a deep violet colour, sur- 

 rounded by a white alburnum. It is used extensively for building, for 

 furniture, and in the form of veneers. It can be furnished along the 

 line of the Great Western Railway, or at the lake ports, for 601. sterling 

 per 1,000 cubic feet ;• freight thence to Quebec, about 11/. per 1,000 

 cubic feet. Specific gravity, - 5 ; weight ol cubic foot, 30 lbs., well 

 seasoned ; value for heating purposes, 65. 



10. Butternut (Juglans cinerea). — A large forest tree of an average 

 height of 100 feet, 65 feet to the first limb, and 24 to 30 inches in 

 diameter, found over extensive areas in Canada on elevated river banks 

 and on cold, uneven rocky soils. The wood is of a reddish hue, lighter 



