Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Climbers 35 



The Japanese Quince, P. (Cydonia) japonica, has many varieties, 

 varying in colour from white to deep crimson from December to April. 

 Closely related is P. Maulei, also from Japan, which has orange-red 

 flowers in April, followed by fragrant orange-yellow fruits. The False 

 Service Tree (P. pinnatifida or fennica), said to be native of the Isle 

 of Arran, has pinnately cut leaves and white sweet-scented flowers in 

 May and June, succeeded by scarlet fruits. The True Service Tree (P. 

 domestica) has pinnate leaves, creamy-white flowers, and red pear-shaped 

 fruits. 



The Siberian Crab (P. prunifolia) has many charming varieties, with 

 Cherry -like leaves, white Pear-like 

 flowers, and yellowish and red fruits 

 of an agreeable acidulous flavour. 

 Closely related is the Siberian Cherry 

 Crab (P. baccata). The Chinese Crab 

 (P. spectabilis) has pale-red semi-double 

 flowers in April and May; and the Wild 

 Service Tree (P. torminalis) resembles 

 P. Aria in appearance, but the leaves 

 are not woolly white beneath. There 

 are several other kinds of Pyrus. 



Quereus (OAK). There are several 

 species of Oak, some evergreen, some 

 deciduous, but all more or less valuable 

 and ornamental timber trees. 



Among the evergreen Oaks are the 

 well-known Holm or Holly Oak (Q. 

 Ilex), from the Mediterranean region. 

 It is perfectly hardy in the milder 

 parts of the kingdom, and is very 

 variable in habit, judging by its forms, 

 such as crispa, fagifolia, fastigiata, 

 integrifolia, latifolia, serratifolia, &c. The Cork Oak (Q. Suber), Q. acuta, 

 the Kermes Oak (Q. cocci/era), Q. agrifolia, Q. cuspidate*,, and Q. virens 

 are other evergreen kinds. 



The British Oak (Q. Robur) is the best-known deciduous kind. It 

 includes several varieties, including pedunculata and sessiliflora. The 

 " Golden Oak " is a form called Concordia, with golden-yellow leaves; 

 and nigro-purpurea has purple leaves. In the village of Polstead, Suffolk, 

 there is said to be a British Oak 2000 years old, with a girth of 36 ft. 

 The Valonia Oak (Q. ^Egilops) is a semi-evergreen with a few varieties. 

 The Turkey Oak (Q. Cerris) is a favourite recognized by its deeply cut 

 leaves and bristly acorn cups. There are several varieties, including a 

 variegated one, and one with very deeply cut leaves, laciniata. The 

 Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea), from North America, is a quick-growing tree 

 with pinnately cut leaves about 1 ft. long, which assume brilliant-red or 



Fig. 432.-Pj/nw arbuttfolia. (f.) 



