130 WOODY PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
For the purpose of making baskets, the lower part of the 
trunk of young white oak trees is very much used, on account 
of its great elasticity and suppleness, and the evenness with 
which it may be divided into narrow strips or ribbons, when in 
that stage of growth. For this purpose, it is worth twenty dol- 
lars per cord. The wood of the young tree is also used for ox- 
bows, where hickory cannot be obtained, and even in some 
places in preference to it. It is often used for handspikes and 
levers, and all those numerous purposes in which strength, elas- 
ticity, and toughness are required. 
The bark is valuable to the tanner. It is nearly like that of 
the European white oak, which is so highly prized in England 
and France, that all the small branches are stripped, whenever 
an oak is felled. In this respect, there is still a great want of 
economy in most parts of our country. The average value of 
this bark, near the sea-coast, is about eight dollars per cord. 
The root of the white oak is seldom taken up, except for the 
purpose of making knees for naval architecture. But, judging 
from the great beauty which a section of these roots sometimes 
exhibits, they might with advantage be substituted for many of 
the foreign, imported woods, for ornamental purposes, as for the 
manufacture of chairs and tables. The great defects of the 
wood of white oak is its shrinking much and irregularly, which 
may, however, be obviated by thorough seasoning. 
The value of white oak for charcoal is very considerable, 
being surpassed only by that made from the chestnut, the hick- 
ories, and the chestnut white oak. As fuel, it is quite as much 
prized as it deserves, making at best but a slow fire, and far 
inferior, for this purpose, to the hickories. Its great importance, 
as timber, and its increasing scarcity, will, however, prevent its 
being much used for either of these purposes. 
What has been said of the oak as an ornamental tree, applies 
especially to the white oak. It is beautiful in every stage of 
its growth; at first, light, slender, delicate and waving; at last, 
broad, massive, and grand, but always graceful. Let every one 
who has an opportunity, plant a white oak. When standing 
in a situation where it is somewhat protected, and has room 
freely to expand its limbs, it will every year improve in beauty 
