"HALL OF FAME" FOR TREES 



551 



Beech. It is also used in the manufacture of chairs, 

 brush handles and shoe lasts. 



Beech may be regarded strictly as a forest tree. This 

 does not mean that it will not grow in the open, but when 

 it develops in the open it produces poor lumber, and Is 

 rather short and limby. It appears that the small Beech 

 seedlings must have shade if they are to develop well, 



but after the trees have reached middle age they will 

 endure considerable light. 



The Ancients loved the Beech and praised it in song 

 and story. Today we regard it highly as a forest tree, 

 for it conserves the fertility of the forest soil and prod- 

 ucts, and produces large quantities of valuable forest 

 products. 



.1?? 



HALL OF FAME" FOR TREES 



THt old state of Massachusetts is the banner state for interesting trees. There are several 

 reasons for this distinction. Massachusetts was the chief theatre of the Colonial Wars, and 

 of the Revolution that great history-making epoch; it is the second oldest settlement; its 

 soil is well adapted to the growth of trees; it was the first state to organize a Horticultural 

 Society whose duty is to give publicity to trees where it is due, as well as to care for them. 

 Thirty years ago this Society issued a call throughout New England for minute records of 

 all "Large, Old or othenvise Interesting Trees." In a few weeks there were two hundred 

 and forty-four responses; giving the variety of the tree, exact location, height, girth, spread 



Courtesy U. S. Forest Service. 



THE WAVERLY OAK 



of branches, age, and particularly the history connected Zi'ith it. One hundred and ninety- 

 eight of these trees were in Massachusetts! Massachusetts stands foremost of the forty-eight 

 states in her regard for trees. Just a trip through that beautiful, picturesque, park-like 

 state and one will see evidences of this activity on every hand. At Waverly is a group 

 of oaks recognized by the Forest Service to be more than four centuries old. I hey 

 must have been quite sizable trees when the Norsemen and the Indians were rivals for 

 dominion in this section of the country. These oaks stand along the bank of Beaver Brook, 

 and shoiv evidences of many a long fierce battle it'ith the summer storms. 



