150 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



will include this tree among those worthy to be protected 

 and handled with care. When we really learn to know 

 the sycamore better and understand its forest habits, 

 and are familiar with its growth, we will be glad to give 

 it a place in the forest management of the hardwood for- 

 ests of the East. 



A few years ago the American Genetic Association 

 started a survey of the big trees of the United States by 

 offering a prize to the person reporting the largest trees 

 by groups found within the country. This brought to 

 light many large trees, and among them a massive syca- 

 more at Worthington, Indiana. In 191 5 this giant of all 

 our American hardwoods measured 42 feet and 3 inches 

 in circumference at five feet above the ground, and was 

 almost 150 feet ta!l. It is not unlike other large sycamore 

 trees in that it branches near the ground. Its east branch 

 is 27 feet and 3 inches in circumference, and its west 

 branch, 23 feet and 2 inches in circumference. 



Throughout the Mississippi Valley and its principal 

 tributaries, the sycamore grows at its best, but it also 

 attains a large size in some of the river valleys of our 

 eastern states. The "Dauphin Sycamore" standing near 

 Linglestown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, is one of 

 the best specimens in the eastern states. It has a circum- 

 ference of more than 25 feet at the base, and, a branch 

 spread of over 100 feet. Most of the older sycamores 

 that stand in our country are hollow, but the Dauphin 

 sycamore shows no traces of any damage or decay. It 

 is one of the best preserved large trees of its kind. Local 

 historians tell us that this tree stands as a memorial to 

 John Goodway, the last of the friendly Indians that 

 lived in central Pennsylvania. It is said that he is buried 

 in an unmarked grave about 100 yards north of this 

 magnificent and massive tree. 



Among the historic trees of Pennsylvania is a sycamore 

 growing near Chadd's Ford in Delaware County. It 

 stands close by the house used by Lafayette as his head- 

 quarters before the battle of Brandywine, September 11, 



1777. This tree is about seven feet in diameter, well- 

 proportioned, and remains as a living and worthy me- 

 morial to the great general. Local historians claim that 

 Lafayette was laid under this tree after being wounded in 

 the battle. The words of the historian and the truth 

 of the tradition may be questioned, but the great age 

 and large dimensions of the tree cannot be challenged. 



In 1 92 1 the Conservation Association of Berks County, 

 Pennsylvania, offered two prizes in a big tree contest. 

 One prize was offered to the school and the other to the 

 pupil discovering and reporting the biggest tree in Berks 

 County. From every part of the county came measure- 

 ments of many big trees. When all the results were tab- 

 ulated the prize was awarded to a big sycamore. The tree 

 that helped win the prize was thirty-seven feet and one 

 inch in circumference near the ground, 103 feet high, 

 and had a spread of branches of 100 feet. This tree now 

 holds the honor of being the biggest tree of Berks County, 

 Pennsylvania. It stands in a field on the old Rothermel 

 farm, one-half mile north of the Half-way House, in 

 Maiden Creek Township. Since the prize was awarded, 

 many pilgrimages have been made to this magnificent 

 specimen of tree growth. 



It will not be long until our native trees will play a 

 prominent role in the educational work of our rural 

 schools. As soon as we learn to know our native trees 

 better, writers of geography will no longer picture and 

 describe only the big trees of California and the high 

 Eucalyptus trees of Australia, but will also tell the 

 school children about some of our native trees and other 

 nearby natural wonders. When we learn to know more 

 intimately the things that stand about us, there will accu- 

 mulate a body of valuable local history that will make 

 each succeeding generation better informed and more 

 satisfied. The attractions of the city have been heralded 

 widely, but the beauties and wonders of rural life have 

 remained unsung. Let us teach the country boy about the 

 wonderful and useful things that surround him and the 

 march toward the city will take care of itself. 



THE CALL OF THE WHITE PINES 



Lying beside the highway strife. 

 Hurrying by with busy life 

 The white pines silvery green and gray- 

 Beckon our spirits and seem to say: 



"Leave your restless thoughts, forget 

 The daily worries that gall and fret; 

 Come hither and seek a quieter mood 

 In our sunny, restful solitude". 



The fragrance of the monarchs strong, 

 The carefree notes of the chickadee's song. 

 And the whispering voices above us, all 

 Persuade us to answer the pine wood's call : 



"Leave your restless thoughts, forget 

 The daily worries that gall and fret ; 

 Come hither and seek a quieter mood 

 In our sunny, restful solitude." 



Eleanor Frances Fullerton. 



