THE CHESTNUT. 



MANY admirers of trees place the Chestnut before the 

 oak because it is a taller tree with a proportional spread 

 and denser foliage. A remarkable peculiarity in the style 

 of its foliage is its radiated tufts, giving it a similar ap- 

 pearance to that which is so apparent in the horse-chest- 

 nut. But we observe an important difference between 

 the two, while the radiated tufts of the horse-chestnut 

 are distinctly separated by spaces, those of the Chestnut 

 seem to be involved in a general and more indistinct mass 

 of foliage. A notion prevails in some parts of Europe, 

 that this tree should not be planted near dwelling- 

 houses, "because the flowers emit a powerful and dis- 

 agreeable odor, which is offensive to most people." I 

 have not observed any such odor from the American 

 Chestnut. 



In general form and proportions there seems to be no 

 specific difference between the English and the American 

 chestnuts. On this continent it is a majestic tree, re- 

 markable for the breadth and depth of its shade ; but it is 

 seldom cultivated by roadsides. It displays many of the 

 superficial characters of the red oak, so that in winter we 

 cannot readily distinguish them. The foliage bears some 

 resemblance to that of the beech, but displays more 

 variety. The leaves are long, lengthened to a tapering 

 point, and of a bright and nearly pure green. Though 

 arranged alternately, like those of the beech, on the recent 

 branches, they are clustered in stars, containing from five to 

 seven leaves, on the fruitful branches, that grow out from 



