IN FLORIDA 103 
though it is quite tender. It is much used for shading roads and 
streets. 
Quercus laurifolia, one of the water oaks, is a handsome, 
evergreen tree found growing wild as far south as Cape Romano 
on the west coast and Arch Creek on the east. It grows in 
moist, rich soil and ought to do well in any fairly good ground. It 
is one of the most beautiful of the oaks. 
Quercus virginiana, Live Oak. A majestic, evergreen tree, 
attaining a great height and spread, common generally through- 
out the lower southin good soil. It is universally respected and 
allowed to stand in the vicinity of dwellings wherever it is native, 
and is often planted for ornament. It is a rapid grower when 
young and would probably do well in ordinary pine land if fer- 
tilized and cared for. It more or less completely sheds its leaves 
in late winter, but is soon covered with pale new foliage which 
rapidly changes to dark green. When they are draped with long 
moss they are weirdly beautiful and are among the most striking 
objects of our southern forests. 
Uimus americanus, White Elm. It may not be generally 
known that this tree extends south to Peace Creek on the west 
coast of Florida and to Cape Canaveral on the east side. It 
will no doubt do well when planted as an ornamental in good soil 
throughout the greater part of the state. 
Celtis occidentalis, Hackberry. A fine tree which ranges down 
to near the extreme southern end of the state, which is sometimes 
planted for shade and ornament in the south. 
Ficus aurea, or Wild Fig, is a common tree in the southern half 
of the state, and is often planted for ornament. It retains its 
glossy, leathery leaves usually until near spring when suddenly 
they turn yellow and are apparently pushed off by the new ones. 
Sometimes a part of a tree will be almost entirely bare during this 
process while another part will be clothed with the rich green 
leaves of the last year; in another part they may be yellow and in 
still another place the new leaves will be showing. The tree 
attains its greatest size and development on the southeast coast, 
where it drops its air roots in such great profusion that they often 
twist into ropes or glue themselves to one or more of the trunks. 
In the course of years the tree becomes a veritable banyan and 
