The Growth of the Tree 37 



the early seedling stage. Some, like the nut trees, devote 

 most of their energies to establish their root systems. The 

 tap-root of a one-year-old hickory is often as long as, or 

 longer than, the stem. Others, like the cottonwoods and 

 willows, make a rapid height growth with a comparatively 

 small root system. The hardwoods, as a rule, make much 

 more rapid growth for the first few years than the soft- 

 woods. Most of them put forth mature leaves and grow 

 a foot or more in height the first year. Most of the soft- 

 woods or conifers retain their cotyledons through the 

 first season and do not put forth any real leaves. They 

 rarely attain a height of over three inches the first year, 

 and many of them not more than two. They are so small 

 that they are usually overlooked in the woods unless one 

 is familiar with their appearance. All this growth of the 

 first season comes from the central pith. The cambium 

 is formed as the diameter growth continues. As autumn 

 approaches, growth ceases, the wood is matured and the 

 buds are formed to protect the growing points, — arranged 

 in regular order along the stem of the hardwoods, in a 

 whorl at the top of the coniferous stem. The leaves of the 

 hardwoods fall and the little trees are ready for the winter. 

 In the winter season, the hardwoods, as far as we 

 know, take an absolute rest, although there may be more 

 or less movement of fluids. Everything is prepared for 

 the cold weather and the leaves are gone. The ever- 

 greens are as well prepared as the hardwoods, save that 

 they do not drop their leaves. This is sometimes detri- 

 mental and even fatal in some open winters on the open 

 prairies. The sweep of a south wind forces evaporation 

 from the leaves when the ground is still frozen hard. In 



