How to tell them from other trees: The oaks are rather difficult to identify and, in studying them it will often be necessary to look for more than one distinguishing character. The oaks differ from other trees in bearing _acorns_. Their _leaves_ have many lobes and their upper lateral _buds_ cluster at the top of the twigs. The general contour of each oak presents a characteristic branching and sturdiness uncommon in other trees. The chestnut differs from other trees in bearing _burs_ and its _bark_ is also distinctly characteristic. How to tell them from each other: There are two groups of oaks, the _white oak_ and the _black oak_. The white oaks mature their acorns in one year and, therefore, only acorns of the same year can be found on trees of this group. The black oaks take two years in which to mature their acorns and, therefore, young acorns of the present year and mature acorns of the previous year may be found on the same tree at one time. The _leaves_ of the white oaks have rounded margins and rounded lobes as in Fig. 57, while those of the black oaks have pointed margins and sharp pointed lobes as shown in Figs. 60, 62 and 64. The _bark_ of the white oaks is light colored and breaks up in loose flakes as in Fig. 58, while that of the black oaks is darker and deeply ridged or tight as in Figs. 59 and 61. The white oak is the type of the white oak group and the black, red and pin oaks are types of the other. For the characterization of the individual species, the reader is referred to the following pages. [Illustration: FIG. 57.--Leaf and Fruit of White Oak. (Quercus alba.)] WHITE OAK (_Quercus alba_) Distinguishing characters: The massive ramification of its branches is characteristic of this species and often an easy clue to its identification. The *bark* has a *light gray color*--lighter than that of the other oaks--and breaks into soft, loose flakes as in Fig. 58. The *leaves are deeply lobed* as in Fig. 57. The *buds are small, round and congested* at the end of the year's growth. The acorns usually have no stalks and are set in shallow, rough cups. The kernels of the acorns are white and palatable. Form and size: The white oak grows into a large tree with a wide-spreading, massive crown, dissolving into long, heavy, twisted branches. When grown in the open it possesses a short sturdy trunk; in the forest its trunk is tall and stout. Range: Eastern North America. [Illustration: FIG. 58.--Bark of White Oak. (Quercus alba.)] Soil and location: The white oak thrives in almost any well-drained, good, deep soil except in a very cold and wet soil. It requires plenty of light and attains great age.