DECIDUOUS TREES. 
307 
the leaf of the white oak, and the characteristic form of the tree 
when quite young—say from five to ten years after planting from 
the nursery. In rich and cultivated soil the growth of young white 
oaks is about two feet a year, but in ordinary soils is not much 
more than half this. The depth and culture of the soil makes more 
difference in the rate of growth of the white oak than of the sugar 
maple or chestnut; and adds to the beauty of its foliage in the same 
proportion. The latter trees will often show luxuriant masses of 
leaves in soils too poor to produce more than a meagre foliage on 
the oak. When grown in soils that force a rapid growth, it de¬ 
velops early those broad masses of light and shadow which, in its 
later growth, in connection with the grand horizontal projection 
and picturesque irregularity of its branches, makes it a favorite tree 
of most landscape painters. The leaves change in autumn to a 
dull brown or purple, and hang on thrifty trees till they are fairly 
pushed off by the growth of new leaves the following May. 
The Swamp White Oak. Q. tomentosa. — This 
common native oak, one of the most valuable for its 
timber, is also one of the most beautiful; and forms 
a connecting link between the chestnut oaks and the 
white oak. In form, when young, it closely resembles 
the burr oak, as shown in Fig. 95 ; but its bark is 
lighter colored, smoother, and more scaly. The 
branches are more numerous than those of the white 
oak, especially the smaller spray, and disposed to droop grace¬ 
fully as the tree attains' a large size. The leaves, the form of 
which is shown by Fig. 93, are a shining green on the upper 
surface and whitish on the under side; occasional specimens dis¬ 
playing leaves so white when turned by the wind, as to be 
observed among the oaks for this peculiarity. Its growth is a 
little more rapid than that of the white oak or burr oak, but less 
rapid, when young, than the red and black oaks. At middle age, 
however, say from twenty years old and upwards, no oak grows 
more rapidly. Fig. 94 is a portrait of a beautiful specimen 
growing on the grounds of T. Van Amringe, near Mamaroneck, 
N. Y., in a meadow near the waters of Long Island Sound. The 
Fig. 93. 
