NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



53 



Oak trees will grow in any kind of soil. They like best the soft 

 soil, into which they can send down their long roots deep, deep. 

 They must spread their roots, too, for the mighty branches with 

 their many leaves and flowers and acorns need a great deal of 

 support and many roots to feed them. 



Although oak trees will grow almost anywhere, they do not like 

 cold, wet places, nor the borders of ponds and marshes. They 

 grow best in forests 

 in temperate climes. 



The oak does not 

 bear acorns until it 

 is about eighteen 

 years old, but this 

 is babyhood for an 

 oak, for the oak tree 

 has many years to 

 live, and grow, and 

 strengthen. Some 

 oaks live to be a 

 thousand years old. 



Oak wood is very hard and close and firm. Each year's 

 growth pushes the rings of wood closer together and adds to the 

 value of the wood. For this reason it is used for the hulls of ships. 



Much of our furniture which is subjected to hard usage is 

 made of oak because it is so tough and strong. Dining-room chairs 

 and tables are often made of oak. 



AN OAK TREE 



