582 SWEET CHESTNUT TREE. 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION . 



The Chestnut Tree has two very distinct forms. The one which 

 is most characteristic of it as found in this country, possesses a lofty 

 trunk, proportionately stout, and undivided almost to the top, it may 

 be to a height of 80 feet above the ground. 



The lower limbs take a downward direction from the point at 

 which they may first be distinguished from the trunk, and spread 

 away to a distance equal to about one-third of the height of the 

 tree. The branches which they give forth ramify towards the tip 

 into a number of smaller branches, which hang down to the ground. 

 In contrast to this arrangement the ends of the lower limbs some- 

 times turn abruptly upwards. 



The boughs which spring from the central part of the trunk 

 at first incline upwards, and then follow the downward trend of the 

 lower limbs, although they ramify at an earlier stage. These central 

 boughs spread to the same distance from the trunk as do the lower 

 boughs, or slightly further. The upper boughs are, each in 



succession, somewhat shorter. They also ramify more freely and 

 generally incline upwards, though they carry hanging branches. As 

 a result of this branch formation, the outline of the tree is shaped 

 like a blunt cone. The trunk is of enormous size in comparison 

 with the boughs it supports, and the boughs seem over-large for 

 the branches. In other words the transition from trunk to bough 

 and from bough to branch is unusually abrupt, and shows none of 

 that exact gradation which is so delightful a feature of many trees. 

 But when seen near at hand the strength and massiveness of the 

 trunk and lower limbs are impressive. The boughs are stiff and 

 contorted, and assume many grotesque forms. The rough bark on 

 the trunk takes fine spiral lines which are very ornamental ; it is 



