The _leaves_ are alternate, simple 5 to 9 inches long and about half as
broad. They are deeply divided into 5 to 9 rounded, finger-like lobes.
The young leaves are a soft silvery-gray or yellow or red while
unfolding, becoming later bright green above and much paler below. The
_flowers_ appear with the leaves, the staminate are in hairy catkins 2-3
inches long, the pistillate are sessile in axils of the leaves.
The _fruit_ is an acorn maturing the first year. The nut is 3/4 to 1
inch long, light brown, about one-quarter enclosed in the warty cup. It
is relished by hogs and other livestock. The _bark_ is thin, light
ashy-gray and covered with loose scales or broad plates.
The _wood_ is useful and valuable. It is heavy, strong, hard, tough,
close-grained, durable, and light brown in color. The uses are many,
including construction, shipbuilding, tight cooperage, furniture,
wagons, implements, interior finish, flooring, and fuel. Notwithstanding
its rather slow growth, white oak is valuable for forest, highway and
ornamental planting.
The overcup oak, _Quercus lyrata_ Walt., is similar to the white oak,
but may be distinguished by the nearly spherical cup which nearly
covers the somewhat flattened acorn. This oak occurs in the river
bottoms in southern Illinois.
+BUR OAK+ _Quercus macrocarpa_ Michx.
THE bur oak, which occurs throughout the State takes its name from the
fringe around the cup of the acorn. It usually has a broad top of heavy
spreading branches and a relatively short body. It is one of the largest
trees in the State. In maturity, it attains a diameter of 5 feet or more
and a height of over 80 feet. The _bark_ is light gray and is usually
broken up into small narrow flakes. The bur oak does not often form a
part of the forest stand, as do some other oaks, but occurs generally
singly in open stands and in fields. It requires a moist but
well-drained soil.
[Illustration: BUR OAK