OAKS. 
5 
The American Oaks vary so exceedingly in their leaves at different sea- 
sons of the year, in different stages of their growth, and in different locali- 
ties, that some experience is necessary in deciding on them. 
Like most other trees, the Oak seldom hears an abundant crop of fruit 
for two years in succession, and it increases in productiveness with age. 
All the species push up shoots from the collar when cut down, but only 
one or two species from the root. After oaks have stood in good soil, and 
a suitable climate for five or six years, they grow with rapidity till they have 
attained the age of 30 or 40 years, and the life of some species is known to 
extend to upwards of 1000 years. 
There are some Oaks in Britain which are believed to have been old 
trees in the time of William the Conqueror ; and Pliny mentions a Quercus 
Ilex which was an old tree when Rome was founded, and which was still 
living in his time. The Merton Oak measures at the surface of the 
ground 63 feet 2 inches . — Abridged from Loudon’s Arboretum. 
The Cowthorpe Oak, in Yorkshire, measures seventy eight feet in cir- 
cumference near the ground, and its age is estimated as nearly coeval with 
the Christain era. An Oak in Lower Charante, in France, is declared on 
good authority, to measure from eighty-five to ninety-four feet. Dr. Gray, 
JVort/i American Review, July, 1844. 
Particular attention should be given to the remarks of the author on the 
subject of planting the oak for future use. The General or State govern- 
ments should never grant a charter for a rail-road or canal, without a clause 
requiring the planting of useful trees, such as the White Oak for instance, 
along both sides of the route. A store of ship-timber would thus be accu- 
mulating for national or mercantile service, whence it could easily be 
transported to the sea-board in emergencies ; a plan which Would shade the 
road and be advantageous to the banks of a canal. The French Govern- 
ment has shown a wise foresight in this particular ; her turnpikes are often 
thus planted, and the product is at the call of the authorities.] 
