NUT-BEARING TREES 



ing any part of the inspected trees. It has 

 been a sorrow to me that I have not seen 

 that great hickory later in the year, when the 

 clusters of tassels have become bunches of 

 husk- covered nuts. To get really acquainted 

 with any tree, it should be visited many times 

 in a year. Starting with the winter view, one 

 observes the bark, the trend and character of 

 the limbs, the condition of the buds. The 

 spring opening of growth brings rapid changes, 

 of both interest and beauty, to be succeeded 

 by the maturity of summer, when, with the 

 ripened foliage overhead, everything is differ- 

 ent. Again, when the fruit is on, and the 

 touch of Jack Frost is baring the tree for the 

 smoother passing of the winds of winter, there 

 is another aspect. I have great respect for 

 the tree -lover who knows unerringly his favo- 

 rites at any time of the year, for have I not 

 myself made many mistakes, especially when no 

 leaves are at hand as pointers? The snow 

 leaves nothing to be seen but the cunning 

 framework of the tree — tell me, then, is it 

 ash, or elm, or beech? Which is sugar- maple, 

 and which red, or sycamore? 



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