SHADE TREES, 291 



more often it imitates the maple. But it most frequently 

 throws its branches out abruptly, and nearly at right angles 

 with the trunk, like the apple ; or gracefully arches upward 

 till the flexile twigs descend from the outer extremity, form- 

 ing a beautiful and usually flattened dome, with a diameter 

 sometimes exceeding 150 feet. It renews its foliage gen- 

 erally once inr'two years, and then gradually, thus always 

 affording a dense mass of living green. Many other species 

 of evergreen oaks, which never grow north of about 37 

 within the States, do not vary materially in appearance or 

 character from the live oak. For ship-building, the live 

 oak is esteemed the strongest and most durable timber. 



The Elm when standing isolated, is one of our most beau- 

 tiful and imposing treas. It grows to an immense size, with 

 gracefully projecting limbs and long pendant branches. It 

 is liable to few diseases, and the fuel and timber are good 

 for most purposes. Every one who has seen the patriar- 

 chal elms which grace the beautiful villages of the Connec- 

 ticut valley, and other old towns of New England, must 

 wish to see them universally disseminated. 



The Rock or Sugar Maple, before mentioned on page 

 219, (Fig. 70), has a straight trunk and reg- 

 ular upward-branching limbs, forming a top 

 of great symmetry and elegance. Besides 

 the ornament and thick shade it affords, it 

 gives an annual return in its sap, which is 

 converted into syrup and sugar. The fuel is 

 not inferior to any of our native trees, the 



_^^ timber is valuable, yielding the beautiful 



'^F^*^r =i * glossy bird's eye maple so much esteemed 

 for furniture, and various other purposes. 



The Black Walnut (Fig. 71) is a stately, graceful tree, 

 yielding excellent wood and durable 

 timber ; and besides its extensive use for 

 plain, susbtantial furniture, the knots 

 and crotches make the rich, dark veneer- 

 ing, which rivals the mahogany or rose 

 wood in brilliancy and lasting beauty. 

 In a fertile soil, where only it is found in 

 its native state, it bears a rich, highly 

 ^ flavored nut. 

 The White Ash has a more slender and stiffer top than 

 either of the preceding, yet is light and graceful. The fuel 

 is good, and the timber unequalled in value for the carriage 

 maker, 



