466 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



top. If propped to prevent swaying in the wind this 

 method seems to be quite successful. A disadvan- 

 tage in the general practice, however, is that no dis- 

 tinction is made among the three trees known as wa- 

 ter oak, and all may be mixed in the same 

 planting. Out of leaf these trees when 



LEAVES OF LIVE OAK 

 The leaves are about one and a half 

 inches long, and have smooth edges and 

 are sometimes broader near the apex. 



LEAVES OF THE WATER OAK 

 This is called the weed among the oaks, 

 and the tree should never be planted in 

 place of the willow oak, or the laurel 

 oak, both of which are better trees. 



small all look very much alike 

 and even when in foliage there is a 

 similarity in general appearance, as 

 may be judged by a comparison of the 

 illustrations of the foliage. The laurel 

 oak is more nearly evergreen than the 

 others and. the water oak is much 

 shorter lived and apparently more sub- 

 ject to attacks of mistletoe. 



The laurel oak is found where the 

 live oak is common and in adjacent 



regions. Its foliage is larger than either of the oaks just discussed and 

 often holds on the tree until the new foliage starts. It is especially appre- 

 ciated in Florida and adjacent parts of Georgia and Alabama. A form 

 of it common in the neighborhood of Darlington, South Carolina, has been 

 introduced into cultivation as the Darlington oak. It is an excellent variety. The tree is large, oval-headed 

 and upright. It is adapted to use on lawns, in parks, an d on roadsides, and should be tested on city streets. 

 The water oak is the weed of the oaks. It is much poorer for ornamental plantings than either of the 

 other two trees with which it shares its name, that is the willow oak and the laurel oak. It should not be 

 planted as it has no advantages over the two other trees and does have disadvantages. 



The two prmcipal California oaks are the valley oak and the coast live oak. Both have two kinds of 

 leaves, one being like small holly leaves and the other being about the same size, but with a smooth edge. 

 Both kinds are on the same tree at the same time. The coast live oak is native lo the western slope of the 

 coast range of mountains, while the valley oak is native to the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Both 

 are large handsome trees, each suited to planting in the region to which it is native. The valley oak can be 

 used close to the coast, but it is questionable whether the coast live oak would succeed in the greater range of 



temperature and less humid climate of the val- 

 leys. They are adapted to lawn, park, and road- 

 side planting and apparently are succeeding as 

 street trees in their respective regions. Success 

 in transplanting is most likely by using only plants 

 grown in pots or cans. They need careful water- 

 ing until well established. 



LEAVES OF THE WILLOW OAK 

 The name comes from the similarity of 

 this leaf with that of the willow. It is 

 also called the water oak and, in a few 



places the pin oak. 



LEAVES OF THE 

 LAUREL 0.\K 

 The leaves are larger 

 than those of the live oak 

 or the willow oak, and 

 they often hold on to the 

 tree until the new foliage 

 starts. 



