48 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Others, still standing, are probablj' nearly as old. By the lowest 

 reasonable estimate they must have been growing wiien Columbus 

 crossed the Atlantic; and quite well grown when the Pilgrims 

 landed. Most of these trees are still vigorous, although some of 

 the largest show signs of decay. A few such venerable oaks are 

 found here and there in central and southern New England ; but 

 year by year they are becoming rarer. 



At this point let me ask if it is not a legitimate and praise- 

 worthy object for this Society to labor for that education concern- 

 ing trees, among the people, which shall lead to a recognition of 

 their worth beyond their mere money value as so much wood or 

 timber ? 



Of the other native oaks of this State, the Yellow-barked or 

 Black, Quercas tinctoria, the Red, Q. rubra, and the Scarlet, Q. 

 coccinea, are best adapted for shade and ornament. The Black 

 oak is one o' the best for shade. Standing alone, it develops a 

 thick, semi-orbicular head, witli deeply cut tbliage of dark shining 

 green, taking shades of orange in autumn. It grows rapidly and 

 will flourish in poor soil. The Scarlet oak is a fine ornamental 

 tree, quick growing, with an air}', open head, and deeply cut 

 glossy foliage. Its scarlet tints in the coloring season are among 

 the most brilliant of our woods. The Red oak as a hardy wa}*- 

 side tree, adapted for the cooler parts of New England, should 

 rank with the rock maple. 



The Swamp White oak, Quercus bicolor, from its frequent appear- 

 ance in the low grounds of the eastern counties of Massachusetts, 

 constitutes one of the characteristic features of the region. It is 

 here a tree of second size, of narrow breadth, but made picturesque 

 by the ragged branchlets thickly crowded upon the trunk below 

 the main limbs. The tree seems to be battling with the elements, 

 and perfectly at home in doing so. 



I pass to another nut-bearing tree, the Beech, of which we have 

 but one species, Fagus sylontica var. Americana, of native growth. 

 We are accustomed to think of the beech chiefly as a forest tree, 

 and no forest in New England presents more points for admiration 

 than one of beech. We rarely see this tree fully developed in open 

 spaces, as when young it seldom escapes the browsing of the 

 cattle; but when fully grown, in an open space, it is a wide- 

 spreading, symu)elrical tree. Upon near approach its smooth 

 bark, long, linely divided branches, and clean appearance through- 



