The Seniors of the Forest 273 
the gale, such leaves cannot be torn as spreading 
foliage would probably be if it grew in similar 
situations and the slippery needles of northern 
evergreens shed snow masses which would break 
broad-leaved trees to pieces. 
Some years ago southern Ohio was visited by a 
moderately heavy snow-storm in mid-May, when 
all the summer leaves were out. Their broad sur- 
faces caught and held the flakes, and the boughs 
were soon over-weighted. All hands turned out 
with poles, rakes, and broomsticks to beat the 
snow off cherished trees, but, despite much zealous 
exertion, aided by a May-time sun, many branches 
crashed down in a few hours. The experience 
showed the probable effect of northern snows upon 
evergreens if they bore broad leaves. 
But the needles of pines, hemlocks, and firs shed 
the flakes from their curved and shining surfaces and 
allow them to fall through the feathery branches 
toward the ground. Snow occasionally gathers 
upon the trees in masses sufficient to form a beau- 
tiful contrast to their sombre green, but its hold on 
the slippery needles is so insecure that the least 
puff of wind suffices to dislodge it. 
The broad-leaved evergreens, laurel, laurestinas, 
holly, bay, and live-oak are native to climates 
