316 



"WEEDS A^'D USEFUL PLAXTS. 



Ciiiiisox QuEEcrs. Scarlet Oak. 



jSiem 60-90 feet high, and 2-3 or 4 feet in dianieter. Leaves 5-8 inches long, deeply 

 Jobed (usnally 4 principal lohes on each side), the sinuses ronnded and wider atbottoni, 

 the base obtuse or sometimes rather cuneate, both surfaces smooth and shining green, 

 with a dense pubescence in the axils of the nerves beneath — ^finally becoming "red and 

 spotted -with deeper crimson; 'petioles 2-4 inches long. Acorn roundish, depressed or 

 slightlv umbilicate at apex, — the lower half I mm ersed in a rough scaly cup. 



itich moist woodlands. Is ew England to Georgia. 



Ob8. The. bark of this tree is much sought after by our Tanners. ^;vho (nol; 

 being acquainted with the ^. falea'ta,) erroneously call it ■• Spanish Oak," 

 anci give it the preference over all the other Oaks that are common here, 

 for their business. The crimson leaves of this species, where it abounds, 

 impart a gorgeous and magnificent appearance to our forests, in autumn ; 

 and it is realTy marvellous that a tree so handsome at all seasons, should 

 be so rarely seen in the lawns and pleasure-grounds of persons of any 

 pretensions to taste. 



13. ru bra. L. Leaves oblong, smootli, sinuate-lobed, sinuses rather 

 acute ; lobes incised-dentate with the teeth very acute ; cupula shallow, 

 Baucer-shaped, flat at base, nearly even on the outer surface ; acom 

 rather large and turgidly oblong-ovoid. 



Red QrERCus. Red Oak. 



60 - 90 feet high, and 2-4 feet in diameter. Leaves 5-S or 9 inches long, often 

 gcimewhat obovate, rather obtuse at base, sinuate-lobed (usually S principal lobes on each 

 side), the sinuses shallower and more acute than in the preceding species: petioles 1-8 

 inches long. Acoi'ii oblong-ovoid, plump and rather large, seated in a broad flat-bottomed 



Fig. 217. The Red Oak (Quercus rubra). 21S. An acom. 



