96 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



UNDER VIEW OF THE LEAF OF THE RED 

 OAK (Quercus rubra) 



Fig. 21 As in the case of all oaks, we cannot 

 study and compare their leaves too closely in 

 order to make absolute correct identification. 



UNDER VIEW OF OAK LEAVES; NATURAL 

 SIZE. UPPER LEAF IS OF THE WHITE OAK 

 (Quercus alba), AND THE LOWER ONE OF 

 THE SCARLET OAK (Quercus coccinea). 



Fig. 20 These specimens show very well how 

 leaves should appear after they are pressed and 

 dried, and ready to be placed in the herbarium 

 folio 



by its leaves ; this is the Eared or 

 Mountain magnolia, so named for the 

 reason that its acute, obovate leaves 

 develop little twin "lobes" at their 

 bases, which present a fancied re- 

 semblance to the lobe of the human 

 ear. It flourishes through the val- 

 leys of the Appalachian mountains, 

 in the mid-section country, to north- 

 ern Mississippi and Alabama. It has 

 a fine, creamy white flower with a 

 rich, aromatic fragrance, and many of them measure fully ten inches in 

 diameter. This tree has been cultivated in some of the New England States 

 for many years, and it has done exceptionally well as an ornamental tree. Its 

 oblong fruit is, when matured, of an elegant rose tint ; while its leaves, as in 

 a f,ew other species, retain their green color until they fall, and even for some 

 time afterwards. Scientifically, this Eared magnolia is known as Magnolia 

 fraseri; and it is a well known fact that its flowers, instead of possessing a 

 sickening odor, which is the case in those of the Great or the magnolia, are, 

 as stated, delightfully fragrant. The Great magnolia has been named Mag- 

 nolia foetida. Through the use of its wood for fuel and its branches for 

 Christmas decoration, the species is now becoming extinct. Man is utterly 

 destroying so much that is beautiful in nature, and so much that can never be 

 restored. 



One of the most attractive of all of our magnolias is the Swamp magnolia 

 (M. glauca), a species that occurs in localities suitable for its growth, 

 throughout the Gulf States to Texas, northward to Arkansas, and on the 

 Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida (Fig. 18). Manufacturers use 

 its wood to make broom-handles and various small utensils for our kitchens : 



while the tree is, as are other species, disappearing owing to the demand for 

 its branches in church decoration. It is a grand tree, and frequently grows 

 to become 75 or 80 feet in height. During its flowering season, its blossoms 

 are sold by the thousands by vendors on the streets in many of our cities, 

 in the region where the trees may still be found. It is a regular trade and a 

 very profitable one ; and magnolia farming would by no means be a hazardous 

 venture, were it entered upon with a correct knowledge of requirements and 

 the demands of the market. Better do this than wipe out the species in 

 nature. The Umbrella tree (M. tripctea) receives its name from the 

 fact that a great whorl ot umbrella-like leaves encircle its beautiful 

 flower. 



A most important group of trees represent the Beech family (Fagaceae), 

 the oaks of the genus Quercus. Of all trees in the country, none is more 



puzzling to the student, and for not 

 a few reasons. In the first place, 

 some of the species rather closely re- 

 semble each other-r especially their 

 acorns and leaves. Then a number of 

 species flourish in the same localities 

 and forests, thus giving rise to many 

 bewildering hybrids. Finally, the 

 same species often presents curious 

 anomalies and variations. Great and 

 far-reaching attention has been de- 

 voted to the oaks on account of their 

 great value to man, who has used 

 their wood, bark, and nuts as far back 

 into human history as the records car- 

 ry us. 





UNDER VIEWS OF MORE LEAVES OF THE 

 RED OAK (Quercus rubra), SHOWING VARIA- 

 TIONS IN FORM. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

 SPECIMENS. 



Fig. 22 As already pointed out, the leaves of oak 

 trees offer an almost endless series of variations 

 in form and other characteristics. 



