The Oaks 



that old one which has stood there with its feet in the water as 

 long as you can remember. In fact, it seemed to be grown up 

 when first you were told its name. The head is narrow for an oak, 

 the limbs short and tortuous, especially on the lower half of the 

 tree where they have a downward tendency, seeming to sprawl 

 as widely as their grizzled and stubby length permits. Storms 

 have cut gashes in the outline of the top. A weird grey pallor 

 heightens the expression of age. The bark strips off of the branches 

 somewhat after the sycamore's mode of m.oulting. Nothing 

 contributes more to the picturesqueness of a tree than ragged 

 bark. 



In spring the rough coat of the tree is concealed by the open- 

 ing leaves. The black oaks flush crimson when they wake in 

 the May sunshine. The young leaves of the swamp white oak are 

 green, with a silvery scurf that lines them the summer through. 

 Even in its autumn colour the foliage turns yellow and never red. 

 All through the summer the brilliant foliage, lustrous yellow- 

 green above, turns its silvery linings out in every breeze, and 

 fairly illuminates the duller trees that stand about. One authority 

 calls it Quercus hicolor, for the two colours of its leaves. 



This is one of the chestnut oak group. The leaf proves 

 it by its shape and margin. The long, sweet nut in its fringed 

 or plain cup is worthy the attention of any hungry man or 

 beast. 



The swamp white oak is easily transplanted and it grows 

 rapidly, but because it is known to be a hard drinker people do not 

 plant it, forgetting that trees sometimes are happy out of their 

 normal habitat. This oak flourishes as a street tree, and does 

 well in any moist, rich soil, graciously waiving, for our satisfaction, 

 its natural preferences. 



But he who would have this tree in its grandest state will 

 wish it set at some distance from his house, and where it is made 

 very comfortable. While we transplant small saplings into our 

 grounds, let us exert ourselves to cherish the old ones and help 

 the community to realise what a precious thing one of these 

 veteran trees is — the natural heritage of all who can see it. 



Basket Oak, Cow Oak {Quercus Michaiixii, Nutt.) — A large 

 handsome tree, 60 to 100 feet high, 3 to 7 feet in diameter at base, 

 with stout ascending branches forming a round, dense head. 

 Barh scaly, silvery or ashy grey, with reddish tinge. Wood 



