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TANOAK (Lithocarpus densif~orus)
Other names: tan bark oak, oak..

POOR TO GOOD

Tanoak is found only in southwestern Oregon and northern California. The bark of this tree was once used for tanning leather. It is a comparatively short lived tree. It grows rapidly and is very subject to decay. Tanoak is not an oak at all though it does bear an acorn. 

If the original tanoak bearing tree was blazed and scribed the blaze is usually rotted, though not always. Under ideal conditions the blaze may be healed, with a noticeable scar. When rotted out the scribing is usually gone. Many of the original trees were bark scribed. If the smaller tanoaks were bark scribed the scribing will have enlarged as the tree grew and appear as unconnected sections, similar to a "dashed line". The tree may be covered with moss, which when carefully removed will reveal the bark scribing. 

If dead or fallen, the log decays rapidly, to a soft mulch. Extreme care must be taken when searching the fallen log to avoid destroying the scribing. 

If tan oak must be used for a bearing tree, select the better trees available, 6" or more in diameter. Bark scribe without blazing. On larger trees, with thick bark, smooth the bark without cutting through into the sapwood and scribe the "bark blaze". In dense stands release the bearing tree, if possible.