Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/128

108 THE BALTIMORE OAK TREE (Quercus),

so called from the shipments being made chiefly from Baltimore, is a perfectly straight timber, and is brought to us in lengths varying from 25 to 40 feet, the squares, or sidings, being from 11 to 20 inches.

The wood is of a reddish-brown colour, somewhat darker than the White Oak, and less hard and horny in texture; it is moderately strong, and the quality fair. It might be used with advantage for many minor fit¬ ments in ships, and for general purposes in carpentry, as it is easy to work, and stands well after seasoning. It is not, however, recommended for use where great strength is required, as, when thoroughly dry, it is scarcely so strong as the best Fir or Pine.

The Baltimore Oak tree is of very slow growth (vide Table II., p. 17), and the timber would soon decay unless well protected by paint or varnish after seasoning.

—Nos. 1, 3, and 6 broke quite short; 2, 4, and 5 with a scarph-like fracture, about 8 inches in length.