The Beech Family 



175 



belong to America. They reach their best development in 

 the southern part of North America, ranging south along the 

 plateau to about the equator or a little south of it. Only two 

 species are found in the four western provinces of Canada. 



"He who plants an oak, looks forward to future ages, and plants 

 for posterity." WASHINGTON IRVING. 



i. BUR OAK. Quercus macrocarpa. ^lichaux. 



In the more southern and eastern part of its range the bur 

 oak grows to be one of the largest of oak trees. It sometimes 

 reaches a height of more than one hundred 

 and fifty feet, with a diameter of six or seven 

 feet. It is found in thickets or open groves 

 throughout Manitoba as far north as the 

 Riding Mountains, and extends west for a 

 short distance into Saskatchewan, especially 

 along the valley of the Qu'Appelle. This, 

 however, is the extreme northern and west- 

 ern limit of its range and 

 it is much reduced in 

 size, being a small, rather 

 stunted tree, seldom 

 reaching a diameter of 

 more than twelve inches. 



It is easily distinguished by its character- 

 istic sinuately lobed leaves and its acorn with 

 a very deep cup. 



Its use is entirely local, mostly for fuel or 

 fence posts. Its growth is very slow and, 

 consequently, it has not yet found favor as 

 a cultivated tree ; but it can be transplanted 

 when young by taking reasonable cire, and its long life may 

 yet make it more used for decorative purposes. 



FIG. 35. Bur Oak. 



FIG. 36. Garry Oak. 



