Oaks of the state of J\'ew York. 491 
oaks of the forest are known with tolerable certainty to attain 
the ages of 8 or 900 years, and are the most aged trees that we 
possess. The pines are stated by Dr. Williams, in his History of 
Vermont, to be from 350 to 400 years. This information is ob- 
tained by counting the number of concentric layers or rings, a 
method of computation, the accuracy of which is admitted by a 
large majority of vegetable physiologists. 
There is another consideration which renders an attention to 
our forest trees of high importance. In various European coun- 
tries, not only individuals, but governments themselves have be- 
stowed great care upon the cultivation of useful and ornamental, 
indigenous and foreign trees. Their destruction has been guarded 
by the most rigid enactments, and the highest favors have been 
conferred upon their most successful cultivators. Without wish- 
ing to see such examples in all respects imitated in our own 
country, it is worthy of attention whether we are not too prodigal 
of the abundance which we now possess. Whether it is not time 
to stop, or at least check the improvident and indiscriminate de- 
struction of our forests. Whether it is not time to cultivate in- 
stead of destroying, and thus to keep open one great avenue to 
national wealth and independence. 
For the great purposes to which timber is applied, a large part 
of Europe must be tributary. We, on the contrary, possess within 
our extended domain, timber for almost every use. With care, 
the supply can be continued. The forest can be pruned like the 
vineyard or shrubbery. That man would be deemed a madman, 
who should destroy the young and thrifty trees of his nursery, and 
yet where is the place in which the same madness is not exhibited 
with respect to our forests? The effect is already sufficiently evi- 
dent in our populous towns, and if the practice is continued, it 
will soon become general throughout our country. 
I have elsewhere remarked, that a great peculiarity in the vege- 
tation of the United States, is the number and beauty of its forest 
ti'ees. [Geographical Botany of the United States, published in 
the Transactions of the Albany Institute.) The number of these 
at present known, is about 200, which have a more or less ex- 
tensive range of distribution. Some, as for example the magno- 
lias, are exclusively natives of the southern section; some, as the 
willows, are mostly found in the northern, and some again are 
common to both. 
The oaks comprised under the Linnean genus, Quercus, are by 
far the most numerous and important. Botanists are at present 
acquainted with more than one hundred and forty species of this 
genus, of which upwards of one-half belong to America. In the 
state of New York there are fifteen native species, viz.: mossy- 
cup oak, post oak, white oak, swamp white oak, swamp chestnut 
