Creative Woodworks & crafts 2005-08, страница 45

Tiieleaves are one of its identifying characteristics and, as you can see, there are no bristles on the tips of the lobes.

White Oak is always in demand, but not nearly as much as Red Oak. It is also more subject to style trends ill the U.S., whereas it is always in high demand in huropc. The wood is classified as hard, heavy, and strong, and steam bends beautifully. I have not experienced any problems with screwing or nailing into it, but

continued on page 46 Cresliup Wnnrlvwirks f» Q'afls August 2005 • 45

The underside of the leaf is hairless and much lighter in color.

The acorns arc distinctive in their shape, size arid sweetness. While I wouldn't consider them as sweet as other nuts such as hickory, butternut, ox walnut, they're edible off the tree just the same, even if they are rather bitter. Native Americans who did not live in areas that were forested with American Chestnut used them as an important food source, and they taught our early settlers how to prepare them and mix tlicm with animal fat and meat, to make pemmican. The acorns are a very important food source for a great many species of birds and animals, and they have provided food for grazing farm animals. White Oak's acorns ripen in one year, whereas Red Oak's ripen in two, but they do not bear fruit every year and may go three years without bearing it.

The bark of White Oak is quite distinctive. It has a whitish color with flaking scales. As with most oaks, it is high in tannin, but not as high as other species of this group.