stance, how the oak and the elm differ. The oak has short, crooked or 

 gnarled limbs. The limbs of the elm are long, more nearly straight 

 and, in the American elm, inclined to bend toward the ground in 

 graceful curves. Carry the comparison further as between the beech 

 and the walnut, the maple and the hickory, the apple and the peach 

 tree. 



After having done this, compare those of the same species, as the 

 different kinds of elms, of oaks, of maples. (Noting the difference be- 

 tween the varieties of the same kind of fruit trees in an orchard is a 

 valuable exercise and will show some interesting contrasts. ) For ex- 

 ample, note the difference between the American or white-elm, and the 

 slippery or red elm. Which has the straighter limbs? The shorter 

 branches? Note the difference between the shagbark hickory and the 

 pignut hickory, the soft maple and the hard or sugar maple. Fruit 

 trees also often show dissimilarity. What difference in branching have 

 you observed between the sweet and the sour cherry ? How does the 

 Keifer pear differ from most other varieties of pears in its shape and 

 method of branching? The Yellow Transparent and the Maiden Blush. 



The character of the bark of different trees is worthy of notice. 

 Have you observed that in the same kind of trees, the young ones 

 will have smooth bark, while on the larger and older ones it will be 

 rough and furrowed? Why is this? Only the inner layers of bark 

 are alive and as the tree increases in size by adding new layers of wood 

 on the outside of those already formed, the bark has to split and 

 furrows are formed. This is called bark sculpturing, and it forms 

 one of the most reliable means of tree identification. Some trees have 

 a different method of bark behavior in caring for the annual increase 

 in size. For example, the beech has smooth bark, even though the 

 tree be old. The reason for this is that the bark of this tree is able to 

 expand as the new layer of wood is formed. In some cases the bark 

 comes off in large strips, as with the birch for instance. What pecularity 

 have you noticed regarding the bark of the hickory tree? The cherry 

 tree? The sycamore? Name some trees which have bark that is very 

 deeply furrowed. 



Trees have the power of suggesting thoughts and feelings. These 

 thoughts and feelings are attributes of people. In other words, we 

 sometimes think of trees as being possesssd of some of the same 

 characteristics that belong to persons. The oak tree because of its 

 size and shape of limbs suggests strength. The elm tree symbolizes 

 grace and beauty. One of our poets called the birch "The Lady of 

 the Forest". What qualities of the birch makes this a fitting nick- 

 name? Some trees are weeping, some gay, some quiet and retiring. 

 Some, as the sycamore, are ghostlike. Others such as the honey-locust, 

 because of their great array of thorns appear war-like. The Lombardy 

 poplar, which grows so tall with all its limbs so closely drawn to the 

 trunk, suggests precision. One of these trees standing by itself, like 

 a lone sentinel, is one of Nature's most impressive sights. 



