CHAPTER I I I 

 THEIR RUGGED TRUNKS 



MUCH of the beauty of any region is due to 

 the trees which clothe the mountain slopes 

 and river valleys or line roadsides and hedge- 

 rows. This statement is commonplace, yet those 

 who have crossed the treeless areas in this and other 

 lands can best appreciate its full significance. In the 

 summer time, when clothed with leafage, all deciduous 

 trees may look very much alike to a casual observer. 

 In the fall, when the change of colour in the leaves 

 takes place, variety becomes apparent, but it is in 

 the winter when the trees are naked that they best 

 display their peculiar characteristics. A very brief 

 study will enable any one in winter to pick out the 

 Elm, Oak, Sugar Maple, Beech, Hickory, and Silver 

 Birch. The general aspect, position of main branches, 

 thickness of shoots, character of the bark, and often 

 of the buds, each or several, afford easy clues to iden- 

 tity. Those who are born and live in the country 

 readily recognize by intuition their neighbouring 

 trees. Townsfolk have not the same opportunities 



