=10.= =Quercus rùbra= Linnæus. [_Quercus maxima_ (Marshall) Ashe of some
recent authors]. Red Oak. Plate 49. Large trees; winter buds ovoid,
pointed, reddish, outer scales glabrous, sometimes pubescent on the
edges; twigs soon smooth and reddish; leaves on petioles 2.5-5 cm. long,
10-20 cm. long, oval to oblong-obovate, broadly wedge-shape or truncate
at the base, the margins divided by wide or narrow sinuses generally
into 7-9 lobes, sometimes as many as 11, the lobes not uniform in size
or shape, lobes broadest at the base and ending generally in 1-5 bristle
points, pubescent above and below at first, soon becoming smooth at
maturity and a dark green above, paler and yellowish-green beneath and
smooth or with tufts of tomentum in the axils of the veins; acorns
solitary or in pairs, sessile or on very short stalks; nuts ovoid, flat
at the base, and rounded at the apex, 2-3 cm. long, enclosed for about
1/4 their length in the shallow cup; cups 2-3 cm. in diameter, thick,
saucer-shape, flat or only slightly rounded at the base; scales ovate,
blunt, appressed, and pubescent on the back; kernel somewhat bitter,
eaten by hogs and cattle, but not relished by wild animals.
=Distribution.=--Nova Scotia to Minnesota, south to Florida and west to
Texas. Found throughout Indiana, although local in the knob area. Its
preferred habitat is that of moist, rich and fairly well drained woods.
It does not thrive in situations that are inundated much of the winter
season such as the pin oak will endure. In the southern part of the
State, especially in the flats it is frequently found on the high bluffs
of streams and very large forest trees are frequent on a dry wooded
slope of ten acres, on the Davis farm four miles south of Salem. In a
congenial habitat it was a frequent to a common tree, although such a
thing as nearly a pure stand would never be met with, such as was often
formed by the white, black, shingle or pin oak.
=Remarks.=--Wood hard, heavy, strong, close-grained, but not as good as
white oak in any of its mechanical qualities. Commercially all of the
biennial oaks are usually considered as red oak. The true red oak,
however, is generally considered the best of all the biennial oaks.
Until recently, when white oak became scarce, red oak was not in much
demand, and was used principally for construction material. Now it is
substituted in many places for white oak, and the uses now are in a
great measure the same as those of white oak.
The red oak grows rapidly, and is able to adapt itself to many soil
conditions. It has been used in European countries for two centuries for
shade and ornamental planting. It reproduces easily by planting the
acorns, and should receive attention by woodlot owners as a suitable
species for reinforcing woodlands, or in general forest planting.
[Illustration: Plate 49.