Tree Study 



749 



which, when covered with leaves, make the broad, rounded head which 

 characterizes this tree. The oaks are divided into two classes which the 

 children soon learn to distinguish, as follows: 



A. The white oak group, the leaves of which have rounded lobes and 

 are rough and light-colored below ; the wood is light-colored, the acorns have 



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White oak in winter. 

 Drawing by W. C. Baker. 



sweet kernels and mature in one year, so that there are no acorns on the 

 branches in winter. To this class belong the white, chestnut, bur, and 

 post oaks. 



AA. The black oak group, the leaves of which are nearly as smooth below 

 as above, and have angular lobes ending in sharp points. The bark is dark 

 in color, the acorns have bitter kernels and require two years for maturing, 

 so that they may be seen on the branches in winter. To this group belong 

 the red, scarlet, Spanish, pin, scrub, black-jack, laurel and willow oaks. 



There is a great variation in the shape of the leaves on the same tree, and 

 while the black, the red and the scarlet oaks are well-marked species, it is 

 possible to find leaves on these three different trees which are similar in 

 shape. Oaks also hybridize, and thus their leaves are a puzzle to the 

 botanist ; but in general, the species can be determined by any of the tree 

 books, and the pupils should learn to distinguish them. 



The acorns and their scaly saucers are varied in shape, and are a delight 

 to children as well as to pigs. The great acorns of the red oak are made 



