Forests and What They Give Us 523 



Giant Trees. In different parts of the world there are won- 

 derful giant-like trees of great age. Among them are the baobab 

 tree of Africa, the banyan of India, the eucalyptus of Australia, 

 and the great Sequoias of the United States. 



Naturally we are interested in the big trees of our own country. 

 The Sequoias are the largest living things. They are members of 

 the pine family. Once spread over a large part of the ancient 

 world, the Sequoias are now making their last stand on the Sierras 

 in California. Like the bisons they seem to be destined to annihila- 

 tion. They are already confined to isolated groves of which there 

 are now about thirty, numbering from one-half dozen to several 

 thousand trees. The Sequoias include the "big trees" and the 

 redwoods. The diameters of some of them, three feet above 

 ground, range from 12 to 23 feet, and in height the range is from 

 270 to nearly 400 feet. 



Local Trees. Although it is interesting to know about our 

 giant trees, it is more important from a practical point of view 

 that we take interest in and know about the trees that flourish in 

 our own streets and parks. Not only are these pleasant to look 

 at, but they actually aid in making us more comfortable in the 

 hot season. By transpiration of water vapor from their leaves, 

 they help to cool the atmosphere. They are constantly absorbing 

 carbon dioxide and throwing off oxygen, thus helping to keep the 

 air invigorating. Besides, they provide resting places and homes 

 for our birds. 



Every city is justly proud of its trees. However, they require 

 care or they will not thrive. They must be protected from the 

 attacks of insects, from fungous diseases, and from animals and 

 other agencies that injure them. 



Recognition of Trees. Everyone should have sufficient 

 knowledge to recognize, if not the species, at least the family 

 to which our most common trees belong, and this knowledge is not 

 difficult to acquire. In the first place it is helpful to know that 

 only three families of our large trees have opposite leaves the 

 maple, the ash, and the horse-chestnut. Knowing this and a few 

 characteristics of twig, bud, leaf, or fruit of different trees, it 

 becomes quite easy to distinguish them. 



