310 DECinrovs trees. 



The OLive-ACORN or Mossv-cup Oak. Q. oUvcifonius. — This 

 variety is known by some under the name of mossy-cup oak. As 

 the burr oak has a still mossier cup, it seems to us that the botani- 

 cal name which Loudon has anglicized, and which is given above, 

 is more appropriate. Its acorn is long, like the olive, and nearly 

 covered by its cup, but not so completely as that of the burr oak. 

 The leaf of this variety is hke a white oak leaf, elongated, and more 

 deeply lobed. Its bark is like that of the white oak, but the growth 

 is more slender, and the branches tend to droop gracefully. A 

 native of the northern States. 



Fig. 9- 



The Chestnut Oak Group. 



The Chestnut Oak. Quercus pritius palustris. — 

 A lofty tree found principally below the latitude of 

 42°. It is disposed to form a straight trunk, with- 

 out branches to a considerable height, and then to 

 spread into a broad tufted head. Fig. 97 shows its 

 form of leaf. We have not had the good fortune to 

 see any trees of this variety grown to maturity in 

 open ground, and cannot, tlierefore, speak of its usual 

 character as an ornamental tree , but our impression is that for 

 massy and glossy foHage, and rapidity of growth, it is surpassed 

 by few of the oaks. When young its growth is long-limbed like the 

 red oaks. At all times a cleanly-looking tree. 



The Rock Chestnut Oak. Q. priniis monticola. — Down- 

 ing considers this one of the finest of northern oaks, and states that 

 it grows on the most barren and rocky soils ; thus showing its 

 affinity to its namesake and protot}'pe, the chestnut tree. " In open 

 elevated situations it spreads widely, and forms a head like that of 

 an apple tree.'' The leaves are broader proportionally, and less 

 acutely pointed than those of the preceding variety, by which, and 

 its lower and broader form, it can be recognized. We consider 

 this the finest of the chestnut oak family, and for small grounds the 

 most desirable oak to plant, being more opulent in leaves than 

 any other. 



