II. 1. THE SCARLET OAK. 147 



abundantly, in the middle of the State, and in the river counties, 

 but seldom occurs westward of the Connecticut. 



As fuel, it is not commonly distinguished from the black oak, 

 to which it is, however, decidedly inferior. It forms a large 

 part of the wood which is imported into Boston from the south 

 shore, or which is brought in from the neighborhood. 



For the use of the tanner, it is still less valuable ; the bark 

 being much thinner than the yellow oak bark, and less abound- 

 ing in tannin. It is, however, far superior to the bark of the 

 red oak, with which it is constantly confounded, from having, 

 in many places, the same name. 



The scarlet oak, like the black, is a tree of considerable beauty 

 at every season of the year. But in the autumn, when the 

 whole forest has changed its color, the rich scarlet which its 

 leaves assume, makes it an object of conspicuous beauty. The 

 leaves, after they have undergone this change of color, which 

 has no dependence on the action of the frost, remain long upon 

 the tree, and, in the natural forest, blend harmoniously with 

 the dark brown of the red, the yellow of the old black oak, and 

 the red hues of the young, and the deep rich purple of the still 

 more persistent leaves of the white oak. Adding to these the 

 various shades of crimson and orange of the maples and tupelos, 

 you give to a stroll through the autumn woods in a pleasant 

 day in the Indian summer, such a variety of attractions, that 

 he who yields to them, and comes out to enjoy the scenery with 

 its rich, mellow colors, and the soft, mild and yet glowing at- 

 mosphere, each so made for the other, finds it difficult to per- 

 suade himself how so many can be induced to forego the enjoy- 

 ment. 



Neither the scarlet nor the black oak grows to a great size 

 or height in Massachusetts, though in the Middle, Southern, and 

 Western States, they are among the tallest oaks. I have not 

 found many over five feet in diameter. One, in Natick, near Mr. 

 Jonathan Bacon's, measured sixteen feet four inches in circum- 

 ference at the ground, but diminished rapidly, being only ten 

 feet, at four feet above. The scarlet has less of the tendency 

 to spread than most other oaks, but is a graceful tree, present- 

 ing in its shape and limbs an endless variety of beauty. 



