II 



SOME FOREST TREES IN THEIR WINTER 

 CONDITION. FEBRUARY AND MARCH 



2. MATERIAL : Twigs and a few small branches from every tree 

 to be studied. From a wood pile or from a dealer's wood yard select 

 pieces of wood and bark, which were cut from trunks or large branches. 

 Before these lessons are given, the children must closely observe the 

 shape of the trees in the woods and in open places. If practicable, let 

 them accompany and assist you when you collect the material. Out- 

 door observations are of the utmost importance in all lessons on trees, 

 because the full-grown plants cannot be brought to the schoolroom. 

 If any of the trees described below are rare in your neighborhood, 

 substitute common forms for them, and omit those of which you can- 

 not, at least, procure branches, twigs, flowers, leaves, and fruit. Put 

 twigs of all trees studied in glasses or bottles with water, and watch the 

 buds. 



The Poplars 



1. The Quaking Asp. Populus tremuloides. 



This tree generally grows from thirty to fifty feet high 

 and, a few feet above the ground, the trunk has a diameter 

 of ten to eighteen inches. 



Near the base, the bark of old trees is often black, from 

 one to two inches thick, and divided into broad, flat ridges. 

 Higher from the ground, and on young trees, it is thinner, 

 pale yellow-green, orange-green, or almost white, and often 

 marked with horizontal, wart-like excrescences. The lower 

 side of large branches is often marked with large black 

 scars. 



Observations. Keep a close lookout for the flowers of all the trees you 

 are studying. 



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