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SPANISH OAK. 

 Quercus falcata, Michaux. 



FORM — A medium-sized tree usually attaining a height of 70-80 ft. with a diameter of 

 1-3 ft. but which may reach a maximum height of 120 ft. with a diameter of 4| feet. Crown 

 )pen, broad, round-topped, rather deep, 



BARK — On old trunks divided by shallow fissures which separate low, brown, scaly ridges. 

 )n young parts thin, smooth, dark reddish-brown to gray and rich in tannic acid. 



TWIGS — Stout, at first covered with rusty hairs, later almost smooth and reddish-brown 

 0 ashy-gray. 



BUDS — Alternate, ovoid, sharp-pointed, i of an inch long, bright chestnut-brown, hairy. 



LEAVES — Alternate, simple, 6-7 inches long, 4-5 inches broad, ovate in outline, 3-7 lobed; 



obes bristle-pointed and separated by broad variable sinuses. They are dark green and shining 

 ibove, covered with grayish down beneath. The leaves are very variable in outline. 



LEAF-SCARS— See "Leaf -Scars" under White Oak, page 132. 



FLOWERS — Flowers appear in April or May when the leaves are about i developed. Stami- 

 late flowers are borne in slender hairy aments about 3-5 inches long. Pistillate on stout hairy 

 talks and terminated by rather short, divergent, dark red styles. 



FRUIT — An acorn, maturing at the end of the second season; short-stalked. Nut ovoid to glo- 

 lose, rounded at apex, about i of an inch long, pale orange-brown, enclosed only at base for 

 length. Cup hemispheric, h% of an inch across, covered by thin reddish scales which are 

 lale pubescent especially on the margins. 



WOOD — Ring-porous; with conspicuous medullary rays; hard, strong, not durable, with 

 ight red heartwood, lighter sapwood. It warps and checks badly. Weighs 43.17 lbs. per cubic 

 cot. Largely used for fuel and also used in construction. Bark is rich in tannin. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS— The Spanish Oak bears leaves which resemble those 

 t the Scrub Oak, only that the lobes of the latter are usually short and triangular while those 

 f the former are mostly long and lanceolate. The Scrub Oak attains the height of a small tree 

 nly, while the Spanish Oak may reach a height of 100 feet. It can be distinguished from 

 he other closely related members of the Black Oak group in this State by its white or 

 rayish-tomentose coating on the lower leaf surface. 



RANGE — New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania to Missouri, south to Florida and 

 'exas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— Reported only from the southeastern and southern 

 arts of the State. 



HABITAT — It is usually found on dry gravelly or sandy soil. In the South it is common 

 etween the coastal plain and the Appalachian mountains. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES— Since the natural distribution in this State is limited 

 0 a few local places in the southeastern and southern parts and on account of its inferior 

 rood, it cannot be recommended for forestry purposes. Other more valuable species should 

 le propogated in its stead. It is rather attractive as an ornamental tree and its bark 

 Iso is rich in tannin. 



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