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WHITE OAK (Quercus alba)
BUR OAK (Quercus macrocarpa)
Other names: stave oak; blue oak, scrub oak, oak.

VERY GOOD

 The white oak is found over most of the country east of the Mississippi.. The bur oak is a central states tree, from North Dakota to Ohio and south to Texas. They are very similar in appearance, slow growing and live to ages of 400 to 600 years.  The white oak is an upland tree. The bur oak prefers lowlands  and stream banks. Both trees are desirable for lumber and fence posts. 

The blaze tends to heal well and rapidly. The sapwood decays quickly but once turned to heartwood is much more resistant to decay than the black oak species. On trees marked 100 years ago,  if still alive, the blaze will be completely healed over. Stumps will last for 20 years or more after cutting and may have  sprouted new trees. Care should be exercised to avoid mistaking beetle "tracks" for scribe marks. The "whorly" grain is quite pronounced for 2 or 3 inches out from the blaze face. 

When marking one of these trees blaze through the sapwood but no deeper. Keep the blaze as low as possible and well drained. Paint thoroughly.