NATURE NEAR LONDON 



have split oak trees ? Some may be found split up 

 the trunk, and yet not apparently otherwise injured, 

 as they probably would be if it had been done 

 by lightning. Trees are said to burst in America 

 under frost, so that it is not impossible in this 

 country. 



There is a young oak beside the highway which 

 in autumn was wreathed as artistically as could 

 have been done by hand. A black bryony plant 

 grew up round it, rising in a spiral. The heart- 

 shaped leaves have dropped from the bine, leaving 

 thick bunches of red and green berries clustering 

 about the greyish stem of the oak. 



Every one must have noticed that some trees 

 have a much finer autumn tint than others. This, 

 it will often be found, is an annual occurrence, and 

 the same elm, or beech, or oak that has delighted 

 the eye with its hues this autumn, will do the 

 same next year, and excel its neighbours in colour. 

 Oaks and beeches, perhaps, are the best examples 

 of this, as they are also the trees that present the 

 most beautiful appearance in autumn. 



There are oaks on villa lawns near London whose 

 glory of russet foliage in October or November is 

 not to be surpassed in the parks of the country. 

 There are two or three such oaks in Long Ditton. 

 All oaks do not become russet, or buff; some never 

 take those tints. An oak, for instance, not far 



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