128 



THE OAKS— QUEROUS, (Tourn.) L. 



This genus, which consists almost entirely of trees, comprises abou 

 300 species in the world. The Oaks are world famous on accoun 

 of their wide distribution, physical sturdiness, great strength, an' 

 the high commercial value of their wood. Most of them attain 

 great age and are aggressive competitors in the constant struggl 

 which is going on in the forest. They can be reproduced by sprout 

 or by seed, naturally or artificially. Their modesty recommend 

 them from a silvicultural point of view since they will grow in hab 

 tats which are moist or dry, sterile or fertile, cold, temperate c 

 tropical, at low altitudes or at high altitudes up to the timber lin^ 

 They prefer the temperate climate. 



Economically this genus is one of the most important among tt 

 trees. Its wood is used extensively and is especially adapted f( 

 high grade work. The bark is rich in tannin, while that of a fe 

 European species is used for cork. Tiie galls which are caused I 

 insect stings are also often rich in tannin. The nuts are used : 

 some places as food for man and swine, and occasionally whe 

 roasted form a substitute for coffee. 



The leaves are alternate, simple, and usually shed in autumm. 

 division of the Oaks known as the Evergreen or Live Oaks, sha 

 the leaves at the end of the second or third season. The flowei 

 staminate and pistillate, appear on different parts of the same tr 

 and often on different parts of the same branch. The staminate 

 male flowers are small and arranged singly on a long slender ai 

 drooping ament which emerges from the buds on the twigs of 1 

 previous year's growth. The pistillate or female flowers are sma 

 inconspicuous, urn-like bodies which appear singly or in groups fr( 

 the base of the developing leaves of the season. The flowers & 

 fertilized by the wind and develop into a nut-like fruit known as 

 acorn. The fruit is distinctive in having a scaly, often bristly c 

 separated from the thin-shelled nut which it partly or almost who 

 encloses. In autumn the nuts may fall to the ground while the ci 

 persist on the tree, or the nut and cup may fall together. The acoi 

 may germinate immediately after falling to the gi*ound, I 

 usually they remain dormant until the following spring. T 

 seed-leaves of the nut remain in the shell and furnish nourishm( 

 to the developing seedling. A long tap root is characteristic of 

 oak seedling. This makes them difficult to transplant in a nurs(r 

 or to plant in the place where they are to develop into large trci. 

 A large part of the first two seasons' growth of many of our OjS 

 is concentrated mostly in the development of a root system. 



