306 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 
The European Larch is remarkably durable, while our American Tamarack 
is not, and care must be observed in securing genuine plants. 
Writers have extolled the merits of the European Larch, both on the conti- 
nent and in this country, and there can be no question as to its valuable character. 
In Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois, the tree has proven to be well adapted 
to soil and climate. It should be largely grown throughout the North and West. 
THE OAK. 
Quercus. 
The Oak Tree has been noted from the earliest antiquity as the King of the 
Forest ; its wood as the symbol of strength. With it the ancients constructed their 
ships, while the oldest furniture and finishings of which we have knowledge were 
made from Oak, and it holds the same position with moderns as it did with earlier 
ages. 
There are many varieties disseminated throughout the world, adapted to 
various soils, climates and conditions; some are natural to swamps in warm cli- 
mates: others to wet lands in the far north; and again, it seeks the 
high, dry mountain ridges of the temperate region, while in every location and 
soil, except the arctic ice, it has adapted itself and established a variety. 
Frequently it is a giant in size, but sometimes of dwarf habit, while again it 
is a perfect tree, flowering and bearing seed while growing in the tiny flower pot 
of the Japanese gardener. 
In most varieties, the wood is of great durability; hard, tough, in young 
wood, very elastic, strong and of great beauty. 
At present, as it was centuries ago, the oak is the fashionable wood for the 
finest furniture and inside finish of buildings; its uses legion. 
While there are numerous historic trees which have lived for centuries, vet 
while young, its growth is by no means slow. Our records show some varieties 
to have made a girth of 46 inches in fourteen years and a he ght of 40 feet. Others 
in twenty years gained 50 inches girth, 314 inches gain each year, which is almost 
an average of other woods. 
Oak bark constitutes an important product in the commercial market of Amer- 
ica, for tanning, while in Spain the bark of the Cork Oak supplies the world with 
corks, and this variety will succeed in the more Southern States. 
In wagon spokes the white oak is far the best timber, and almost the only 
wood used for the purpose. 
In large portions of the country in early davs, the acorns formed the principal 
fattening food for swine, and in places there are sufficient Oak trees still to materi- 
ally aid in pork production while the acorns are falling. 
The Oak does not usually bear transplanting well, as its tap root is injured 
by removal of the trees, but one or two vear trees are safely moved, and with 
great care somewhat larger ones can be saved. 
In forest plantations, the Oak should be alternated with rapid growing soft 
wood trees, or shrubs, which may be removed in time, or which will finally be 
overtaken by the Oaks. 
