DECIDUOUS TREES. 30? 



the leaf of the white oak, and the characteristic form of the tree 

 when quite young — say from five to ten years after planting from 

 the nursery. In rich and cultivated soil the growth of young white 

 oaks is about two feet a year, but in ordinary soils is not much 

 more than half this. The depth and culture of the soil makes more 

 difference in the rate of growth of the white oak than of the sugar 

 maple or chestnut ; and adds to the beauty of its foliage in the same 

 proportion. The latter trees will often show luxuriant masses of 

 leaves in soils too poor to produce more than a meagre foliage on 

 the oak. When grown in soils that force a rapid growth, it de- 

 velops early those broad masses of light and shadow which, in its 

 later growth, in connection with the grand horizontal projection 

 and picturesque irregularity of its branches, makes it a favorite tree 

 of most landscape painters. The leaves change in autumn to a 

 dull brown or purple, and hang on thrifty trees till they are fairly 

 pushed off by the growth of new leaves the following May. 



The Swamp White Oak. Q. tomentosa. — This 

 common native oak, one of the most valuable for its • '^'^ 



timber, is also one of the most beautiful ; and forms 

 a connecting link between the chestnut oaks and the 

 white oak. In form, when young, it closely resembles 

 the burr oak, as shown in Fig. 95 ; but its bark is 

 lighter colored, smoother, and more scaly. The 

 branches are more numerous than those of the white 

 oak, especially the smaller spray, and disposed to droop grace- 

 fully as the tree attains a large size. The leaves, the form of 

 which is shown by Fig. 93, are a shining green on the upper 

 surface and whitish on the under side ; occasional specimens dis- 

 playing leaves so white when turned by the wind, as to be 

 observed among the oaks for this peculiarity. Its growth is a 

 little more rapid than that of the white oak or burr oak, but less 

 rapid, when young, than the red and black oaks. At middle age, 

 however, say from twenty years old and upwards, no oak grows 

 more rapidly. Fig. 94 is a portrait of a beautiful specimen 

 growing on the grounds of T. Van Amringe, near Mamaroneck, 

 N. Y., in a meadow near the waters of Long Island Sound. The 



