156 THE HUMAN SIDE OF TREES 



despite the utmost care the oak died in 1909. Since 

 then another tree of the same species has been set 

 out to take its place. 



It will not do to linger too long in New York. 

 The whole world is our field and we must briefly 

 consider a few celebrities of Europe and Asia. 



The ancient Hebrews were such a religious peo- 

 ple that, ordinarily, we could expect to find many 

 historic trees in their country. Unfortunately, 

 Palestine has been largely denuded of its splendid 

 Biblical groves. Only isolated groups here and 

 there cheer a barren landscape. One of these is the 

 famous Cedars of Lebanon. These magnificent 

 trees are first cousins to our gigantic redwoods, and 

 are actual contemporaries or descendants of the 

 forest monarchs used in the construction of Solo- 

 mon's Temple. There are very few left to-day in 

 the sacred enclosure maintained by the Maronite 

 Monks. A circular group of twelve is called "The 

 Twelve Apostles," on the strength of the legend 

 that they sprouted from staves left upright by 

 Christ's religious family while passing that way. 

 At Hebron may be seen Abraham's Oak, where the 

 First Patriarch received the "heavenly visitors." 

 This tree is ten feet in diameter and has many 

 admirers who claim it is the oldest of its race. 



The Greeks can point out an ancient olive tree 



