22 THE HUMAN SIDE OF TREES 



Turbulent streets and noises disappear and are sup- 

 planted by hay-filled barns, yellow winding roads 

 and azure-filled rivers. 



The wafer ash is a miniature tree, and although 

 it is only six feet in height, it produces a broad, 

 well-rounded head which it proudly holds aloft as 

 if to say, "It isn't the size that determines the power 

 of a tree's personality!" Years ago it gave up the 

 struggle for sunlight and decided to live happily 

 in the shade like its friend, the papaw. This tiny 

 ash thrives from the north shore of Lake Ontario 

 to the southern mountains of Mexico, and its tender 

 regard for the welfare of its children is remarkable. 

 The tiny seeds are carefully wrapped in a closed 

 wooden box, or a two-seeded samara, and upon 

 each side of this little oblong box grows a thin mem- 

 branous wing, which continues to enlarge until each 

 meets the other and they unite into one wing or 

 biplane which will float away at the least amount 

 of wind. These babies are kept at home until early 

 winter when the winds are strong then they fly 

 away. 



The birch is the "lady of the woods." All the 

 poets agree upon that. With its slender, graceful 

 body, high-flung arms and outstretched hands, it 

 seems like an airy dancing girl poised on tip-toe. 

 Its wild, flowing hair gives it the deceitful beauty of 



