WHITE OAK 
Quercus alba 
Many huge specimens of this wonderful tree were large oaks in our virgin 
forests when this country was discovered. They grow to a height of 150 ft., occa¬ 
sionally with a spread of 147 ft., sometimes measuring 18 ft. in diameter. Because 
their big brawny, arm-lilce branches very often grow at right angles to the main 
trunk, White Oaks are not the most graceful of trees, but on account of their strong 
ruggedness they are perhaps the most admired. It has been observed White Oaks 
do not grow straight but lean at a slight 
angle from the perpendicular. This 
characteristic and the light color of the 
outer bark are indicative of their ident¬ 
ity. From the last of these characters 
they receive their name. They are dif¬ 
ficult to transplant but are priceless for 
landscape effects. 
The leaves are oblong, narrow at the 
base, with three to eight narrow toothed 
lobes, hairy when young, becoming shiny at maturity. The acorns, the fruit of 
the oak, are approximately one inch long and covered about one-quarter the way 
down by the cup. 
The White Oak is far more resistant to insect and fungi attacks than many 
of the other oaks. Golden oak scale, Asterolecanium variolosum, is commonly 
destructive. It is round golden yellow, sunk in a pit or depression about 1/16 of an 
inch across the scale. Can be controlled as other scales can by dormant applica¬ 
tion of Misicable oil, 1-15. The Fungus Gnomia Veneta, or leaf-scorch of oak and 
sycamore is possibly the most generally destructive of leaf diseases. This is noted 
by ugly brown spots on the leaves (see illustration) and can be controlled by 
dusting with bordeaux mixture when the leaves are half grown, followed by two 
later applications two weeks apart. A long list of leaf feeders prey upon the 
White Oak. Those of economic importance, with biting mouth parts, can be 
controlled with Arsenical or Rotenone Dusts. One of the caterpillars of the lo 
moth, Automeris io, is shown here. It is beautiful light green with orange-red 
markings but its spines are poisonous. Dusting is most effective against leaf-eaters 
when they first appear. 
AMERICAN HOLLY or CHRISTMAS HOLLY 
Ilex opaca 
This magnificent tree attains a height of from 40 to 50 ft.; the diameter is 
from two to three feet. It once abounded in our bottom lands and well-drained 
slopes, companion of Oaks, Hickories, Magnolias and Hornbeams; but somewhat 
different from many familiar trees the holly has distinct male and female trees. 
It can be transplanted, and its ornamental value should make it a familiar sight 
throughout the entire year—rugged, irregular outline as unusual as one of its own 
thick, prickly leaves, but always dignified 
and majestic. But, alas, its own beauty 
has been the cause of its practically 
disappearing from our woods and lawns, 
because at Christmas time we must 
celebrate by having huge branches, with 
its dark green leaves enriched with 
bright red berries, adorning our homes. 
This wonderful tree is exceptionally 
immune from the attacks of insect and 
fungi diseases. About the only pest which is recorded as being of economic im¬ 
portance to hollies is the leaf-miner, Phytomyza ilicis, which makes winding yellowish, 
or yellow brown tunnels in the rich green foliage. The eggs of this small fly are 
laid on the under side of the leaves. The young grubs work into the new foliage 
and spend the winter within the leaves, transforming into flies the second season. 
Picking off the leaves and burning them is the only practical control for small 
trees. The insect can be controlled by dusting with nicotine dust the first of May. 
