The WOOD is hard and heavy and is used largely as fuel.
WHITE OAK
Quercus alba L.
Within its natural range, which includes practically the entire eastern half of the United States, the white oak is one of the most important timber trees. Found in East Texas to the Brazos River, it commonly reaches a height of 80 feet and a diameter of 3 feet. It is found on high quality soils. Grown in a dense stand it has a long, straight trunk, free of side branches for over half of its height. In the open, it develops a short trunk and broad [crown] with far-reaching limbs.
The [BARK] is thin, light ashy gray and covered with loose [scales] or broad plates.
WHITE OAK (Twig, one-half natural size; leaf and [fruit], one-third natural size)
The [deciduous] LEAVES are [alternate], [simple], 5 to 9 inches long and about half as broad. They are deeply divided into 5 to 9 rounded, finger-like lobes. The young leaves are a soft silvery-gray or yellow or red while unfolding, later becoming bright green and lustrous or dull above and much paler and [glaucous] below. The [FRUIT], an acorn maturing in one season, is ¾ to 1 inch long, light brown, and about one-fourth enclosed in a warty cup. The acorn is relished by hogs and other livestock.
The WOOD is heavy, strong, hard, tough, close-grained, durable, and light brown in color. The uses are many, including construction, watertight barrels, furniture, wagons, implements, interior finish, flooring, and fuel. Although white oak is slow growing, it is valuable for forest, highway and ornamental planting.
POST OAK
Quercus stellata Wangenh.
Post oak of Texas is usually a medium-sized tree, with a rounded [crown], commonly reaching a height of 50 feet and a diameter of 1 foot, but sometimes considerably larger. It is the common oak in Central Texas and occurs frequently in East Texas. It occurs most abundantly on the poorer upland soils that have poor drainage.