68 THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



trunk has a deeply furrowed, dark brown bark, from 

 whence the tree probably gets its name. The leaves 

 are cut rather deeply into 5 or 7 divisions, the divis- 

 ions being also somewhat toothed, and each part 

 tipped with a bristle. They have also a thin, rusty 

 down on the underside. The leaf-stem is from 1 to 

 2 inches long. During the Spring and part of Sum- 

 mer their upper surface is roughened with small 

 glands which are perceptible to the sight and touch. 

 On young stocks they turn dull red in the Fall ; those 

 on old stocks, yellow. When the leaves have fallen, 

 this species may be distinguished from the Spanish 

 Oak by the longer, more acute and more scaly buds, 

 and also by chewing a bit of the bark, which gives a 

 yellow color to the saliva. The wood is reddish and 

 coarse-grained, with empty pores, but is stronger and 

 more durable than any other of the Red Oaks ; and 

 where White Oak cannot be obtained, is a good sub- 

 stitute for it in buildings. Staves are largely made 

 of it for containing coarse articles. The bark is very 

 rich in tannin, and is in much request. From this 

 bark is obtained the Quercitron, which is extensively 

 used in dyeing wool, calico, silk, and paper-hangings. 

 The decoction is brownish yellow, and is made deeper 

 by an alkali, lighter by acids, and brighter by a solu- 

 tion of tin. 



This tree is common in the United States east and 

 west of the Alleghanies, reaching north to New Eng- 

 land, and is said to indicate a good soil for agri- 

 culture. It is most abundant in the upper part of 



