hendershot] the white OR AMERICAN ELM 301 



Speak of as the spray. The branches and the spray make up that 

 part of the tree which we call the head or crown. 



Is that all there is to the tree? No, we must think of the roots. 

 There is as much of the tree below ground as there is above reaching 

 out for water and food materials. We find that these roots, in the 

 case of the American Elm, are shallow but extend out at great 

 distances from the tree in search of water. 



This water is taken up by the roots and is distributed up into the 

 branches and out into the leaves. The leaves take in a gas from 

 the air called carbon dioxide through little pores in the surfaces 

 of the leaves. There is a green substance in the leaves called 

 chlorophyll which when acted upon by the sunlight cause the water 

 taken up by the roots and the carbon dioxide taken in by the leaves, 

 to unite and form starch. This starch thus formed, forms the 

 basis of the food material of the tree. But the tree cannot UvSe it 

 in the form of starch, so it has to be changed into some form which 

 can be used. So it is changed to sugar. It is then digested and 

 absorbed by the tissues of the tree, and carried by the water into 

 all parts for building up new tissue and repairing worn out ones. 

 The water is not only able to travel from branches to leaves but also 

 from the leaves to the roots. It is continually travelling up and 

 down the tree through little tubes. 



Not only do the leaves take in carbon dioxide but they also take 

 or breathe in oxygen. This is needed to aid in breaking apart the 

 food materials so that the plant can use them. 



How like our own bodies these same necessary functions are. 

 And if we keep this in mind we will always think of the tree as a 

 living individual. 



Not only is the American Elm found in New York and New 

 England but it is distributed from Newfoundland to Florida, and as 

 far west as the Rocky Mountains. So if you travel within these 

 limits you will find your friend, providing of course that the condi- 

 tions are favorable to its growth. 



Beside being a favorite shade and ornamental tree it has other 

 uses. 



The wood of the tree is used for hubs, saddle-trees, barrels and 

 kegs, flooring, in boat and ship building, and in the building of 

 flumes. It is also a favorite tree of the Baltimore oriole as site for 

 building its nest . We find the pouch-Hke, wonderfully woven nest 

 hanging from the tips of the branches, far our of harm's reach. 



