284 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



nuts in 1907. A few small trees on the west side, one in Farrar's 

 woods, and one in the low woods by Overmyer's field south of the 

 lake. 



The beech was formerly one of the most important mast trees 

 in northern Indiana, and hogs were turned out to feed on the de- 

 licious nuts. In some parts of the state it was very rare to find a 

 beech of large size that was not hollow. The nuts, although rather 

 slow to gather, are excellent eating, both raw and roasted. 



The young beech has an individuality of its own. It holds its 

 leaves, which fade to an almost papery whiteness, until winter, 

 making the tree a conspicuous object for a considerable distance 

 among the barrenness everywhere. One such tree was noted in 

 the woods on the east side. 



The trees on the east side were out finely in blossom May 24, 

 1901. 



260. RED OAK 



QUERCUS RUBRA L. 



Not common. There was one large tree on Long Point which 

 has since disappeared, and several on the east side, where it is more 

 common. The wood which is not very durable when exposed to 

 the weather, and which was once considered of little value, is 

 coming more into general use in the manufacture of furniture. It 

 takes a beautiful finish and makes exceedingly handsome furni- 

 ture. A tree on the east side was past blossoming May 28, 1901, 

 and acorns were ripe. Long Point, October 25, 1904. Acorns were 

 abundant in 1906. The acorns are noteworthy for their bitterness. 



261. PIN OAK; SWAMP OAK 



QUERCUS PALUSTRIS DiiRoi 



Fairly common in lov\^ flat woods southwest of the lake. Trees 

 occur at the edges of ponds in Walley's woods, between the wagon 

 road and Green's marsh south of Outlet Bay, on the east side of the 

 ice-ridge, at a pond near Daggets', etc. In flower May 16, 1901. 

 On October 13, the trees down by the birch swamp were in hand- 

 some autumnal coloration, — just beginning to get red around the 

 edges. 



As usually seen in forests this tree branches rather irregularly 

 and is by no means a particularly handsome tree ; the older stems 

 die, leaving short spurs like pins driven into the tree, whence its 

 common name. Once in a while one sees a tree on a roadside or 

 in the open of more shapely form. 



Planted in the open, as along streets, its grows with remark- 



