Our American Oaks. 485 



The acorns are nearly an inch long, oblong oval, and set in 

 a spreading cup. Its adaptation to elevated situations renders 

 it a particularly valuable tree. 



7. Yellow Oak, (Q. prinos acuminata.) A native of the 

 Middle States, its northern limit, according to Michaux, being 

 Pittsburgh, Pa. It attains the height of 70 to 80 feet, and 

 " its agreeable form and beautiful foliage render it proper for 

 the embellishment of picturesque gardens." The leaves are 

 quite narrow, regularly toothed, and of a light green ; the 

 acorns are small, and sweeter than those of any other species 

 in the United States. It is a fine tree. 



8. Scarlet Oak, (Q. coccinea.) The Scarlet oak, says 

 Michaux, is first seen in the vicinity of Boston, but is less 

 abundant than in Pennsylvania, Virginia, &c. To most peo- 

 ple this is well known as the Red oak, a name which rightly 

 belongs to the Quercus rubra. It is a straight, erect, and 

 stately tree, with large, deeply sinuated leaves, on long peti- 

 oles, of a deep glossy green on both sides, changing to a rich 

 scarlet hue, heightening by their brilliant tints our autumnal 

 landscape, — as conspicuous among all oaks as the Scarlet 

 maple is among the maples. It grows rapidly while young, 

 and is every way a most beautiful tree. 



9. PiN Oak, ( Q. palustris. ) This fine species, the last we 

 now name, grows to the height of 60 feet, assuming a py- 

 ramidal form, and clothed with a light and elegant foliage, 

 quite difierent from any of the preceding species. The leaves 

 are smooth, of a pleasing green, supported on long petioles, 

 and are much more deeply cut than the Scarlet oak, which 

 they somewhat resemble. The acorns are small, round, and 

 contained in flat cups. Michaux considers it as deserving 

 "a conspicuous place in parks or gardens." 



Loudon remarks, (Arb. Brit.) " that its far-extending and 

 drooping branches and light and elegant foliage render it the 

 most graceful of all oaks." It is the most rapid growing 

 American species except Q. ambigua. 



These nine species are especially deserving the attention 

 of every lover of trees. There are several others well worthy 



