8 
THE NATIVE TREES OF RHODE ISLAND. 
walnut, the Norway pine, and the overcup white oak — all large 
trees, and growing vigorously when introduced. Also, the much- 
esteemed evergreen holly, local near the Great Swamp, of Kings- 
town. The scrub oak, which occupies many acres of ground, 
sometimes attains small tree size. So, a limit of fifty species of 
trees native to the soil of Rhode Island is not far from the truth. 
The larger arboreal growth of this region diminishes in the size 
of its several species, through the larger and smaller shrubs, until 
it ends with some of the finest of woody creepers to be found in 
any part of the country. The limits for the present article allow 
us, however, to deal with trees only. 
The Oaks. 
Of the thirty or more species of oaks found within the limits 
of the United States, several of the best are native to Rhode 
Island. At the head of them all, standing first in usefulness and 
noble characteristics, is the white oak. Our ideal “ oak ” is more 
nearly represented by this tree than by any other of the genus. It 
fitly symbolizes some of the noblest traits of the human character. 
We sing, in patriotic strains, “ The brave old oak ; ” and a “ heart of 
oak ” gives an idea of steadfastness which nothing else conveys so 
well. Its massive trunk and giant branches, when fully grown, in 
open ground, embody the strength and stability which we admire 
to see in a living object. By its deep-rooting habits it anchors 
itself against winds and tempests with a Titan’s grasp. The life 
period of the white oak has not been definitely determined, but it 
certainly covers several centuries. There are probably specimens, 
still vigorous, now standing in these Plantations, which were trees 
of considerable size when Roger Williams first noted the “ heavy 
growth of wood” on the grounds which he settled. In England, 
such trees, now scattered over her grand old parks, are regarded 
with a veneration almost sacred. Some of the English oaks, 
which our white oaks nearly resemble, have a historic record run- 
ning back from five to ten centuries, and every tradition about 
them is carefully preserved. Some of the white oaks in New 
