DESCRIPTION OF TREES. 175 



for the short life of this tree it would be one of the greatest 

 acquisitions of the last decade. It is rapid in growth, easily 



FIG. 89. RIVERS' PURPLE BEECH (Fagus syl., purpurea) 



transplanted, of good form, and retains its dark purple color 

 longer than any other tree. As yet it has shown little 

 tendency to disease or the attack of insects, and it is hoped 

 that it may be free from some of the faults that render so 

 many of the same genus of little value for ornamental pur- 

 poses. 



PURPLE-LEAVED OAK (Quercus robur, var. atropur- 

 purea). The characteristic of strength typified by the 

 oaks makes any of the species of interest, and if in addition 

 to this character they possess strikingly beautiful features 

 they become all the more valuable. This tree has dark 



