732 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



Mountain maple, sugar maple and red maple. 



LESSON CLXXXVIII 

 Tree Study 

 Autumn Work — i. What is the color of the tree in its autumn foHage? 

 Sketch it in water colors or crayons, showing the shape of the head, the rela- 

 tive proportions of head and trunk. 



2. Describe what you can see of the tree's roots. How far do you sup- 

 pose the roots reach down ? How far out at the sides ? In how many ways 

 are the roots useful to the tree? Do you suppose, if the tree were turned 

 bottomside up, that it would show" as many roots as it now shows branches? 



3 . How high on the trunk from the ground do the lower branches come 

 off? How large around is the trunk three feet from the ground? If you 

 know how large around it is, how can you get the distance through? What 

 is the color of the bark ? Is the bark smooth or rough ? Are the ridges fine 

 or coarse ? Are the furrows between the ridges deep or shallow ? Of what 

 use is the bark to the tree? 



4. Describe the leaf from your tree, paying special attention to its 

 shape, its edges, its color above and below, its veins or ribs, and the relative 

 length and thickness of its petiole. Are the leaves set opposite or alternate 

 upon the twigs? As the leaves begin to fall, can you find two which are 

 exactly the same in size and shape ? Draw in your note-book the two leaves 

 which differ most from each other of any that grew on your tree. At what 

 date do the leaves begin to fall from your tree? At what date are they all 

 off the tree ? 



