ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 



313 



A CONVENTION OF MICHIGAN TREES. 



[Prepared by the Department of Botany and Forestry of the Agricultural College of Michigan. W. J. 

 BEAL, Prof, of Botany and Forestry.] 



Norway Pine (Louie). Fellow trees of Michigan, to organize this meeting I move the 

 election of White Oak as chairman. (Seconded.) Al! who favor this motion please say 

 aye. (Unanimous vote.) Those who are opposed will say no. The ayes have it, and 

 White Oak will take the chair. 



White Oak (Julius). Fellow trees, the object of our meeting is to consider whatever 

 may be to our best interests in the forests of Michigan. It is a subject of great import- 

 ance to the State and to all of us, and we hope to gain much valuable information from 

 each other and to hear from every one present. 



We have gathered from all parts of the State for this conference. As we should keep a 

 permanent record of our proceedings, and as the newspapers will probably wish to pub- 

 lish our papers and discussions, I think a secretary will be needed to take the minutes of 

 this meeting. 



Beech (Harry). I nominate Chestnut (Lillie) to act as secretary. (Seconded.) 



White Oak. All who favor the nomination last made will say aye. Those who are 

 opposed will say no. The ayes have it, and Chestnut is elected secretary. (She takes her 

 place.) 



White Oak. Our musician. Pine (Bessie), has kindly arranged the music for us. She 

 sings only when the spirits move her. We may know when that is by the peculiar sway- 

 ing of her head. At the swaying let us suspend business and listen. She moves \ve 

 will hear " The echoes from the Forest." 



White Oak. We are now ready for discussion. (Several trees rising at once.) 



White Oak. Tulip tree has the floor. 



Tulip Tree (Herman). Fellow trees, I am glad to have this opportunity to plead my 

 qualifications as an ornamental tree. I grow to a great size and height and have shining, 

 queer-shaped leaves and large, tulip-shaped blossoms which remind you of the sunny 

 South, where my sisters, the Magnolias, live. 



Burr Oak (Joseph). I should like to ask Tulip tree of what use he is? Michigan 

 people have a right to demand of us both usefulness and beauty. 



Tulip Tree. I am not only valuable as an ornamental shade tree, but I also furnish 

 excellent timber for carriage bodies, furniture and finishing houses. Years ago my fore- 

 fathers were numerous south of the Grand River Valley, and supplied wood for laths, 

 shingles and lumber in the place of the white pine. Our family is a small one, repre- 

 sented in Michigan by a single species. 



White Oak. We shall be glad to hear from any members of the Oak family who live 

 in Michigan. (Sixteen members rise.) 



White Oak. This is certainly a large family. I recognize Chestnut as entitled to the 

 floor. What claims have you to rank in the Oak family? 



Chestnut. All botanists of the present day agree that the Beech, the Ironwood, the 

 blue Beech, and the Hazels and Chestnuts are first cousins to the Oaks. I live in four 

 counties in the south-east part of the State and am well known for valuable timber and a 

 good crop of edible nuts. 



Beech. Upon my smooth, gray bark many a heart history has been carved. The poet 

 Campbell tells it so beautifully : 



** Thrice twenty summers have I stood. 

 Since youthful lovers in my shade 

 Their vows of truth and rapture paid. 

 And, on my trunk's surviving frame. 

 Carved many a long torgotten name." 



And here is another beautiful thing from Whittier: 



' I have always admired the taste of the Indians around Sebago Lake, who, when 

 their chief died, dug round the beech tree, swaying it down, and placed his body in the 

 rent, and then let the noble tree fall back into its original place., a green and beautiful 

 monument for a son of the forest." 



I am one of the commonest and well-known trees of Michigan. 



Burr Oak. Ten of us Oaks, out of about 300, live in this State. Brother White Oak 

 is by far the most common and well known. He is the senior member of our family and 

 has attained a very great age. He never thrives in perfection except in a good soil and 

 in a temperate climate. The Michigan people are proud that so many of our family live 

 with them. 



Tulip Tree. White Oak is certainly loyal to his family, but I should like to hear the 

 uses of his tree. 



