56 THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



2. Post Oak. (Q. obtusiloba, Michx.) — The 

 northern limit of this is in New Jersey, but it is not 

 abundant and flourishing north of Maryland. From 

 thence southward it enters largely into the composi- 

 tion of the forests which cover the dry and poorer 

 soils of the Middle Districts of the South. In the 

 Lower Districts it is less common, being mostly con- 

 fined to the region of swamps and lands that have 

 gone out of cultivation. With us it does not appear 

 to be known under any other name than the one 

 given above, and by which it is most generally desig- 

 nated ; but it is elsewhere sometimes called Iron Oak 

 and Box White Oak. The leaves are more coarsely 

 cut than those of the White Oak, their divisions often 

 enlarged at their outer ends, rather rough on the 

 upper side, and with a gray down underneath. The 

 acorns being very sweet and much eaten by wild 

 turkeys, it is in some localities called Turkey Oak. 

 This tree is rarely found as high- as 50 feet, and with 

 a diameter of 18 inches, but I have seen it with a 

 diameter of 26 inches. Hence it cannot be employed 

 for all the purposes for which the Wlxite Oak is used, 

 although in fineness of grain, strength and elasticity, 

 it is superior to it. It is serviceable for fence-posts, 

 (hence its name,) for the work of wheelwrights and 

 coopers, and is used advantageously for the knees in 

 ship-building. For the staves of liquor-casks, this 

 and the White Oak .supply material far superior to 

 any other of our Oaks. 



3. Over-cup Oak. (Q. lyrata, Walt.) — This is 



