DESCRIPTION OF TREES SUITABLE FOR PLANTING. 



63 



planted, stand pruning Avell, are not very subject to decay, while some 

 species are resistant, and have in fact only one objectionable quality, that 

 of their nuts, which in those species having large fruit renders them unde- 

 sirable for use along paved walks on account of the attendant danger. 

 White oaks include the white oak, post oak, chestnut oak and overcup oak. 

 Eed oaks include red oak, black oak, Spanish oak, scarlet oak and pin oak. 



Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is one of the largest of the native oaks 

 and is well adapted for planting as far west as Raleigh and Charlotte. 

 Its short, stout, black-barked trunk divides at a low height into several 

 very wide-spreading, nearly horizontal branches which form in old speci- 

 mens an imposing crown of great extent. The small, dark green, persist- 

 ent foliage casts a moderately dense shade. In the eastern portion of the 

 State, and especially in the southeastern, the trees are often festooned 

 with pendant streamers of gray moss. Trees are very free from diseases 

 and the wood is so hard and tough that in spite of the stretch of its limbs, 

 they are seldom broken by storms. 



The root system is rather wide-spreading and shallow and a sandy soil 

 is most congenial for its rapid development, fast gTow^h being made even 

 to an advanced age on loose soils of Tnoderate fertility, abundantly sup- 

 plied with lime and organic matter. Even old trees endure heavy prun- 

 ing. Young plants are easily secured from seed which are borne in abun- 

 dance. Trees should be spaced not less than 60 feet. 



The live oak is not adapted for narrow streets on account of the enor- 

 mous spread of its crown, but it can be used with imposing effect for mid- 

 dle planting, especially on broad streets, as has been done at Southport, 

 and less advantageously for lateral planting along broad walks. Since 

 the growth of the crown is so largely lateral, its dignity of proportion can 

 only be secured where it is afforded ample space for gTowth and this 

 renders it an even more desirable tree for parks and lawns of large size 

 than for streets. It is also well adapted for roadside planting, but not 

 adjacent to fields. 



Laurel Oak {Qiiercus laurifolia) , a native of the coast, is the most 

 extensively planted shade tree in the coastal towns. This is a slender tree, 

 with rough gray bark, a partially excurrent trunk, and many small, 

 spreading and ascending branches and branchlets, forming an oval or 

 broadly oval crown. It attains a height of 50 to 60 feet and an age of 

 more than 50 years. The twigging is finely divided, flexuous and grace- 

 ful, and the dark green, shining, nearly evergreen foliage casts a dense 

 shade. While the acorns are borne in abundance, on account of their 

 small size, they are not objectionable. Its serai-evergreen character com- 

 pensates for the tardiness with which its spring verdure appears. Its 



