TREES. 97 



OAKS. 



There are a dozen or more species of the Oak 

 family, but they may all be classed roughly into 

 two groups; namely, the white oak group and the 

 red oak group. The white oak group matures its 

 fruit in one year, and has rounded, lobed leaves; 

 the red oak group has sharp-pointed, lobed leaves 

 and requires two years for the ripening of its fruit. 



The oak stands as an emblem of strength, forti- 

 tude, and endurance. There is nothing tender or 

 pliant in its make-up. It is the embodiment of 

 massiveness from its large, anchoring roots to the 

 tips of its branches. Some trees bend or sway 

 under a heavy load of ice and snow or the force of 

 a strong wind, but not so with the oak. It resists 

 everything with its own great strength. For this 

 reason it has a wide range, being able to grow in 

 almost any situation. It is a native of both Europe 

 and America. It will grow in the sheltered valley 

 or upon the unprotected mountain side, and thrive 

 almost equally well in both places. 



Oaks grow to be very old. They are about 

 twenty years old before they produce acorns, and a 

 century or more before they are fully grown. 

 There are oaks in England nearly a thousand 

 years old, and some in the United States several 

 hundred. 



A description of the white oak will give a fair 

 notion of the whole family. 



