I 1. THE SWAMP WHITE OAK. 135 
hardly exceeds this in height, whilst, in the centre of this island, 
the latter becomes a very large and tall tree. 
I think the post oak would grow readily in a sheltered situa- 
tion, in any part of Massachusetts, but it probably would not 
reach a great height. 
It abounds in the western and south-western States; and 
probably some of the timber imported thence, under the name 
of white oak, with which it is often confounded, is the produce 
of this tree. 
Sp. 4. Tue Swamp Wauire Osx. Quercus bicolor. Willdenow. 
Leaves and fruit figured in Michaux; Sylva, I, Plate 7; and in Plate 4, of this 
volume. 
The swamp white oak is found in great numbers in the low 
moist grounds in the vicinity of Boston, and in every county in 
the eastern section of the State; and it occurs as far north as 
York County in Maine. Itis distinguished at all seasons by its 
nearly entire, wedge-shaped leaves, and by its white bark, 
rough, with large, loose flakes or scales. and its numerous and 
intricate branches. ‘These begin low down on the trunk, but 
are seldom of great height. ‘The bark on the smaller, recent 
branches, is of a light grayish green. 
In warm and sheltered situations, it isa neat and beautiful 
tree. When too much exposed to the east or north wind, it 
shows the effect by its ragged appearance. 
The leaves, when young, are very downy, with a whitish 
ferruginous down beneath, and of a reddish green above. 
When mature, they are on short footstalks, three to six, or seven 
inches long, and two to four broad, acute at base, having often a 
rather deep bay on each side just below the middle, and usually 
abruptly dilated towards the end, bordered by a waving line, 
forming about thirteen large teeth, mostly obtuse, but sometimes 
ending in a callous point. The edge is slightly folded back 
smooth, and of a pleasant green above, and covered beneath 
with a white, very soft down; nerves and larger veins promi- 
nent, and rust-colored. Below the large leaves are commonly 
