64 



SHADE TREES FOB NORTH CAROLINA. 



rather shallow, fibrous root s3-stem develops rapidly on moist, light soils, 

 but it makes satisfactorj^ growth on heav}' soils, if not too dry. None of 

 the oaks root with more ease or can be more heavily pruned. It is free 

 from leaf diseases, but unless tlie exposed heart wood is protected after 

 pruning, it is rapidly attacked by species of hydnum and other wood- 

 destroying fungi which in the moist climate of the coast rapidly skeleton- 

 ize old trees. Seedlings are easily propagated. Trees should be spaced 

 40 feet. 



The laurel oak, which is popularly confused with the water oak, is the 

 most desirable shade tree for the streets of cities and towns, as well as for 

 parks in the eastern half of the State, especially where it is afforded the 

 favorable condition of a loose, moist soil. In planting it, the young sub- 

 ject is usually heavily topped, being set out as a mere pole (PI. V, A) 

 which tends to destroy its naturally oval crown and produce a flattened, 

 spreading one, which is often misshapen by the formation of several lead- 

 ers (PI. IV, B). The large, exposed surface where 5^oung specimens are 

 topped frequently fails to heal over and is the seat of the entrance of 

 many stem-destroying diseases. This tree is largely utilized in Wilming- 

 ton and New Bern. 



Water Oak {Queixus nigra) grows in lowlands and open uplands from 

 Morganton and Salisbury eastward, and is usually a common tree in such 

 situations. It is a small or middle-sized tree with a short stem and 

 roughened gray bark, and with a broadly oval or depressed globose crown 

 formed of numerous, slender, sinuous spreading or horizontal branches. 

 It makes a very rapid growth in youth, early acquiring a desirable size 

 for a shade tree, and reaches an age of from 50 to 60 years. 



The water oak grows well on stiff, dry upland soils, although its pref- 

 erence is for looser and moister soils. Transplanted specimens root easily 

 and grow freely. It stands pruning very well and young specimens, when 

 permanently set, are usually cut back to a mere stem, entirely destroying 

 the leader and producing a much flattened crown. The foliage bears a 

 general resemblance to that of the laurel oak, but it is of a duller green 

 color, somewhat larger and is usually entirely deciduous, exceptional 

 specimens only retaining a few green leaves on protected or vigorous 

 shoots. It is less regular in form than the laurel oak, a smaller tree and 

 one better adapted for narrow streets and for dry and heavy soils and for 

 this reason better suited for the middle portion of the State. It is simi- 

 lar to it in arboricultural characters. Trees should be spaced 30 feet. 



Willow Oak (Querciis phellos) is common throughout the middle por- 

 tion of the State and occurs to a less extent in the eastern portion. It is 

 a slender tree, of very rapid growth, especial^^ in youth and well sus- 



