GETTING ACQUAINTED UlTH THE TREES 



none other than the chestnut-oak. A fine tree 

 it is, too, this same chestnut-oak, with its mas- 

 querading foHage of deep green, its upright and 

 substantial habit, its rather long and aristocratic- 

 looking acorns. The authorities tell that its 

 wood, too, is brownish and valuable; but we 

 tree-lovers are not enthusiastic over mere tim- 

 ber values, because that means the killing of 

 the trees. 



The willow-oak will not deceive, because its 

 habit is so oak-like and so willow-less ; but its 

 foliage is surely borrowed from its graceful and 

 more rapidly growing neighbor. Not so large, 

 by any means, as the white oak or the chestnut- 

 oak, it has somewhat rough and reddish bark, 

 and its acorns are perfected in the second year 

 of their growth, close to the twigs, in the way 

 of the pin-oak. The general aspect of the tree 

 is upright, rather than spreading, and it par- 

 takes thus of the maple character in its land- 

 scape effect. The willow-oak is one of the 

 species I would, if I were writing a tree-plant- 

 ing article, heartily commend to those who 

 wish to add adornment to the countryside that 

 shall be permanent and satisfactory. Just a hint 



42 



