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The black oak (Quercus velutina) may reach 4 feet in diameter and a height of 150 feet. The wood resembles that
of the northern red oak, and is often sold for red oak and used in cabinet making. The acorns of black oak provide
food for many species including squirrels, mice, voles, wild turkey,and white-tailed deer. Black oak has been
planted in efforts to rehabilitate surface mine sites. This attractive oak could be used as an ornamental. The bark
is an attractive grey-black with a contrasting orange inner bark. The bark contains significant amounts of tannin,
and the inner bark a yellow dye which can be extracted by boiling, useful in dying natural fibers. The range of the
tree is the eastern united states. The acorns were collected near Lansing, Michigan. Plant the acorns as a school project, or
other interests as suits you. A half gallon milk carton makes a suitable container to start the seedling. Some useful instructions for handling the seedling and container when transplanting is given at the American Chestnut Coorperative web site(http://www.accf-online.org/index.html)
10 acorns $3.50
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