WAITE OAK (Quercus alba, Linn.). 60 to 150 feet; trunk 2 to 8 feet. A large tree, tall in the forest, low and broad domed in the open fields. Bark pale gray, broken into small thin plates. Wood tough, strong, heavy, hard, durable, light brown, with prominent medullary rays. Buds short, round, smooth, clustered at tip of twigs. Leaves alternate, 5 to 9 inches long, obovate or oblong with 7 to 9 rounded or finger shaped lobes, and deep, rounded sinuses between petioles stout; color red at first, with white silky lining, then bright green above, paler beneath; in autumn deep red, pale purplish beneath. Flowers in May; staminate catkins, hairy, el to '2 inches long, yellow; pistillate, 1 to 2 on short stems, stamens bright red. Acorns annual, on short or long stems; cup shallow,
thin, with closely appressed scales; nut of long, shiny brown, I to 1 inch long, sweet, edible. Dist.: Rich, well-drained soil. Southern Maine to Florida; west to Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas. A Limber tree of highest rank. Bark used in tan ning leather. Wood used in naval architecture, in house building, and inside finishing; for furniture, agricultural im plements, cooperage, railroad ties, and fuel.