VALUABLE NATIVE TIMI5EK TREES. 59 



Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata Walter). 



In the Red River Valley above Texarkana the overcup oak is the 

 most common of the large trees. In some places it stands almost in 

 pure forest. Specimens reach 100 feet in height and 3 to 5 feet 

 in diameter. In the southern half of east Texas the tree is very 

 common. It prefers wet, rich alluvial soils. In 1901 it bore acorns 

 in great abundance. The wood has the qualities of white oak, and is 

 used for the same purposes. The Texas product has been used for 

 ties and staves. 



Range. — In wet soils from Maryland to western Florida, and west- 

 ward to the Trinity River in Texas. It reaches its best development 

 in the valley of the Red River and adjacent portions of Arkansas and 

 Texas. 



Cow oak {Quercus michauxit Nuttall). 



The cow oak occurs most abundantly on the San Jacinto River and 

 its forks, and is generally abundant in the coast plain forest, especially 

 in the "Big Thicket" country. It thrives in wet, alluvial soils, but 

 not on swampy soil. It reaches 5 and 6 feet in diameter. This is a 

 white oak somewhat similar in appearance to Q. alba, with wood much 

 of the same quality and suitable for the same uses. 



Mange. — From Delaware to northern Florida; west through the 

 Gulf region to Texas (Trinity River), and through Arkansas and south- 

 eastern Missouri to central Tennessee and Kentucky, Illinois, and 

 Indiana. 

 Texas white oak (Quercus pogodsefolia (Ell.) Ashe). 



This species is very common in the lower coast plain forest on the 

 San Jacinto and Trinity rivers. It is confused here with the genuine 

 Quercus alba. In this locality the tree becomes 80 to 100 feet high 

 and 2 to 4 feet in diameter. 



Durand oak (Quercus breviloba (Torr. ) Sargent). 



This is one of the most abundant mountain oaks of the Edwards 

 Plateau. The tree is small — 20 to 30 feet high and 6 to 14: inches in 

 diameter — but on the high divides it becomes dwarfed to a mere shrub 

 whose aggregation comprises the "Shinneries" common in dry, hilly 

 country. The wood is probably superior to post oak, but it is used 

 mainly for fuel. 



Range. — In the Gulf States from central Alabama across middle and 

 southern Texas. 

 Live oak (Quercus virginiana Miller). 



The live oak occurs in great quantity and perfection in the coast 

 country from the Brazos to the Nueces (becoming dwarfed westward, 

 however). It also extends northward well across the State on the 

 Black and Grand prairies. The tree seems to prefer heavy, waxy 

 clay soils, but it is found upon the river bottoms in the lower country. 



