INTRODUCTION 



In the preparation of this little book the authors 

 have had in mind the need of a simple treatment of 

 the trees of North Carolina for the use of any 

 one who may be interested in them. Until now 

 there has been no publication even approximating 

 this character except Dr. Curtis' Woody Plants of 

 North Carolina (1860), a valuable work, but long 

 since out of print and out of date, and Bulletin No. 6 

 of the North Carolina Geological 8urvey by Pinchot 

 and Ashe (1897), which is also out of print. The 

 Woods and Timbers of North Carolina, by P. M. 

 Hale (1883), was a republication of the reports of 

 Dr. Curtis and others. 



With the rapid advance of education and culture 

 in our state it will not be long before some knowledge 

 of nature will be desired by most of our citizens, and 

 the size, beauty and economic importance of our trees 

 should entitle them to first place in our interest and 

 affection. Every high school graduate at least should 

 know by sight the principal trees of the community, 

 and we hope that this little book will make possible 

 the beginning of such a delightful acquaintance. We 

 have referred frequently to places and trees about 

 Chapel Hill. This will be of great aid to the stu- 

 dents here and through them will serve as examples 

 for the whole State. The dates are the dates of 



