68 



SHADE TREES FOR NORTH CAROLINA. 



Spanish Oak {Quercus digitaia) is common in this State east of the 

 Blue Eidge, and is known in this State exclusively by the name of red 

 oak. It is a very large tree of rapid growth, attaining a height of 70 to 

 80 feet, and an age of more than 100 years. The trunk is stout and 

 covered with nearly black, rough bark, while the dome-shaped crown of 

 old specimens is of large dimensions. The ample foliage, dark blue-green 

 above and tawny beneath, is pendant in clusters from the tips of the twigs. 

 The leaves, like those of the black oak, are of an unattradtive brownish- 

 green color when appearing in spring, as are also the flowers, and they 

 lack the autumnal brilliancy which characterizes the foliage of several of 

 the other species. While not extensively planted, there are many large 

 specimens to be seen on streets and on public grounds in middle and 

 eastern Carolina. Many of these, however, are original forest trees which 

 have been permitted to remain. While the general health of the tree is 

 good, its foliage frequently attracts a large caterpillar in great numbers 

 which detracts considerably from its value. It is of very rapid growth, 

 easily transplanted, and endures the heaviest pruning, even when of a 

 large size. Occasional trees are to be seen nearly 100 feet high and with 

 trunks 3 or 4 feet through. Several large specimens stand in the capitol 

 grounds at Ealeigh. This tree is also known as southern red oak. 



Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), a native of northeastern United States, 

 is a middle-sized tree with drooping lower branches forming a conical 

 crown in youth, which becomes oval in old age. When young the trunk 

 is excurrent but divides towards the top in old trees. The twigging is 

 fine and abundant, and the small, deeply lobed, bright green foliage is 

 extremely attractive. It makes a rather dense shade and its autumnal 

 coloring is nearly as brilliant as that of the scarlet oak. It is easily trans- 

 planted and stands pruning well and its general health is good. It is con- 

 .sidered the most desirable oak for northern planting, and would undoubt- 

 edly be a favorite in the extreme western portion of this State. It re- 

 sembles in habit the willow oak and is in no way superior to that for use 

 where the willow oak will grow. A few have been planted in the western 

 portion of the State, to which region it is most suited, but has few if any 

 points of superiority over the scarlet oak. 



GriNKGO is a Japanese tree, several specimens of which have already 

 been planted in the eastern portion of this State. It is a slender tree hav- 

 ing an excurrent stem covered with light brown bark. The crown is nar- 

 rowly or sometimes broadly conical, and rather loosely branched. The 

 small delicate fern-like foliage forms a thin canopy, only partially feath- 

 ering the stout branchlets. The orange fruit about half an inch in diame- 

 ter is often borne in abundance on large trees, and adds to their attract- 



