.= Ends about equal, petioles very short. (=D.=)

=D.= Leaves small (2 to 4 in. long), evergreen, bark
smooth, black (Live-oaks) 10.

=D.= Leaves not evergreen in the North, somewhat awned
when young, bark very smooth, black and never cracked
(Willow-oaks). (=E.=)

=E.= Down on the under side quite persistent 18.

=E.= Under side soon smooth 19.

=C.= Widened near the tip, somewhat obovate and the end
usually 3-lobed; bark quite black, smooth or furrowed,
but never scaly (Black-oaks). (=F.=)

=F.= Leaves acute at base 16.

=F.= Leaves abrupt or cordate at base 17.

=B.= Leaves distinctly straight-veined, sinuate rather than
lobed, the teeth generally rounded and never awned; bark
white, rough and scaling (Chestnut-oaks). (=G.=)

=G.= Lobes rounded 5, 6, 7.

=G.= Lobes rather acute 8, 9.

=B.= Leaves coarsely lobed, the lobes usually rounded, never
awned; bark white or whitish-brown, cracking and scaling
off in thin laminae (White Oaks). (=H.=)

=H.= Leaves crowded at the ends of the branchlets 4.

=H.= Leaves not crowded 1, 2, 3.

=B.= Leaves more or less lobed, the lobes and teeth acute and
bristle-pointed; petiole slender; base rather abrupt; bark
dark-colored, smooth or furrowed, but never scaly (Red
Oaks). (=I.=)

=I.= Leaves smooth both sides, at least when mature 11, 12, 13.

=I.= Leaves soft-downy beneath 14, 15.

[Illustration: Q. alba.]

1. =Quercus alba=, L. (AMERICAN WHITE OAK.) Leaves short-stemmed, acute
at base, with 3 to 9 oblong, obtuse, usually entire, oblique lobes, very
persistent, many remaining on the tree through the winter; pubescent
when young, soon smooth, bright green above. Acorns in the axils of the
leaves of the year, ovoid-oblong, 1 in., in a shallow, rough cup, often
sweet and edible. A large tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, with stem often 6 ft.
in diameter; wood light-colored, hard, tough and very useful. Common
throughout.

[Illustration: Q. stellata]

2. =Quercus stellata=,