File:Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11 (1901) (20313640750).jpg

Title: Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11
Identifier: bulletinpennsylv11penx (find matches)
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Pennsylvania. Dept. of Forestry
Subjects: Forests and forestry
Publisher: Harrisburg, Pa. : The Department : WM. Stanley Ray, state printer of Pennsylvania
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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132 WHITE OAK. Quercus alba, Linnaeus. rORM—A very large and valuable tree, usually attaining height of 70-80 ft. but may reach a maximum height of 140 ft. with a diameter of 8 ft. when grown In a closed stand. When grown In a dense stand (Fig. 11) it has a clean continuous trunk often free from lateral branches for 75 ft. with a diameter of 6 ft., and little stem taper. When grown In the open (Fig. 21) it divides near the ground into a great many lateral branches which are gnarled and twisted forming a deep, wide, and irregular crown or occasionally a symmetrical crown. Open grown trees produce a very small quantity of timber of commercial importance. BARK—On smaller branches light green to reddish-green; on mature trunks up to 2 Inches thick, usually light gray or white, shallowly fissured into flat, irregular scales often very loosely uttaciied. Occasionally the bark of trunk appears roughly ridged and without scales. See Fig. 73. TWIGS—During first summer light green, tinged with red, coated with loose, pale hairs. First winter slender, smooth, reddish to gray, covered with numerous, light, minute, elevated lenticels. Pith star-shaped. BUDS—Alternate; terminal buds clustered; broadly ovate, obtuse, reddltsh-brown, i of an inch long. LEAVES—Alternate, simple, 5-9 inches long, 2-4 inches wide, obovate In outline, with 8-9. but usually 7 atscending lobes; lobes blunt at .apex and separated by deep round-based sinuses. When full grown thin, bright green and smootli above, and pale, smooth, and occasionally glaucous below. LEAF-SCARS—Alternate, raised, concave to round above, rounded below. A decurrent ridge often continues from raised leaf-scar which makes the twig 5-angled on account of 5-ranked arrangement of leaf-scars. Bundle-scars are numerous, scattered. Inconspicuous. The leaf- scars of the Oaks of thLs State so closely resemble each other that a description of a leaf- scar of one species will suffice for all. FLOWERS Flowers appear in May when the leaves are about J developed. Stnminate flowers are borne in hairy aments 2i-3 inches long. Calyx 5s very hairy and yellow. Stamens extend beyond calyx. Anthers are yellow and notched. Pistillate flowers are borne on short stalks, with hairy Involucral scales and red spreading styles. FRUIT An acorn, maturing during one Ki-ason. sessile or short-stalked. Nut ovoid, rounded at apex, shiny, light brown, 2 of an inch long, inclosed for i length in cup. Meat of nut is sweet and edible. Cup bowl-shaped, slightly tomentose on inside, covered with numerous scales whiHi are thin, short, flat, blunt-pointed near rim, thickened and knobby near the base. WOOD—Ring-porous; with very conspicuous medullary rays; strong, heavy, hard, close-grained, durable in contact with soil, light brown with lighter sapwood. The most valuable of all oak wood. Weighs 4G.35 Ihs per cubic foot. Used in construction, ship building, tight cooperage, furniture, railroad ties, manufacture of wagons, agricultural implements, interior finish of houses, fences and fuel. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS—In summer one can distinguish the White Oak very icadily by its loose s-aly, grayish or white bark from which it takes its common name, and by its deeply round-lobed leaves with a smooth and pale lower surface when mature. In winter it has some characteristics apparently in common with some other Oaks but can be distinguished from the Red, Black, Scarlet, Chestnut, and Yellow Oaks by its obtuse, rather small buds; from th'r! Swamp White Oak by the slender reddish to grayish twigs and the absence of dark loose peeling flakes on tho branches; from the Post Oak by the absence of greenish rusty pubescence OP the twigs; from the Pin Oak by the absence of stiff lateral pins on the branches and the more obtuse buds; from the Bur Oak by tlie absence of corky wings on the branches. In addition to theec characteristics the acorns and leaves which often persist will aid considerably in recognialng the different species. A careful study of the key to the species will help in bringing out additional distinguishing characteristics. RANGE—Maine to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas. DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA—Abundant throughout the eastern, central, and south- ern parts, and rather common at least locally. In the northern and western parts. HABITAT It is tolerant of many soils, growing on sandy plains, gravelly ridges, rich uplands, and moist bottomlands. It reaches its best aevelopment in rich moist soil. IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES—The White Oak is the most Important hardwood species of Pennsyvania. It is a slow grower but develops an exceptionally high grade material. Artificial re- generation by planting is difficult. Sprouting cannot be depended upon. Natural seed regenera- tion is the best method by which this species can be successfully reproduced. German experimenta- tion has shown conclusively that the natural method Is superior to the artificial, especially with Oak. The great value of Its timber will justify attempts to grow this species in forest stands of considerable extent.
Text Appearing After Image:
« PLATE LV. WHITE OAK. 1. Flcw.Tin^' brancli witli iniinature lt'ayf«  staniinatt' l.h.ssnins, (p) pistillate blos.soins. X J. , , 2. A stjiiniiiiit(> tlowcr, enlarged. 3. A pistillat.' tlowcr, onlaru'i-"!. .....t.,.-,. 4. Branch with mature leaves and inatuie acorns, .\ J. 5. Acorn cup, x i. «. Acorn, basal view, x ;. „,„!„« ««. 7. Longitudinal section of acorn sliowing em- bryo, X i. ,«. (U-nniiiating acorn with its young root and shoot, X i. !(. Winter branch, x J. „„,-„„ 10 Tenuiiial .section of winter brandi showing l,utl witli overlapping scales, a leaf-scar Willi ))undle-s<ars, and lenticeis, enlarged. 11. Cross section of twig showing pentangular pith, wood with conspicuous medullary rays, inner and outer bark, enlarged.

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