ARBOR DA Y MANUAL . 
3*3 
A CONVENTION OF MICHIGAN TREES. 
[Prepared by the Department of Botany and Forestry of the Agricultural College of Michigan, W. T_ 
Beal, Prof, of Botany and Forestry.] 
Norway Pine (Louie). — Fellow trees of Michigan, to organize this meeting I move the 
election of White Oak as chairman. (Seconded.) All who favor this motion please say 
aye. (Unanimous vote.) Those who are opposed will say no. The ayes have it, and 
White Oak will take the chair. 
White Oak (Julius). — Fellow trees, the object of our meeting is to consider whatever 
may be to our best interests in the forests of Michigan. It is a subject of great import¬ 
ance to the State and to all of us, and we hope to gain much valuable information from 
each other and to hear from every one present. 
We have gathered from all parts of the State for this conference. As we should keep a 
permanent record of our proceedings, and as the newspapers will probably wish to pub¬ 
lish our papers and discussions, I think a secretary will be needed to take the minutes of. 
this meeting. 
Beech (Harry). — I nominate Chestnut (Lillie) to act as secretary. (Seconded.) 
White Oak. —All who favor the nomination last made will say aye. Those who are- 
opposed will say no. The ayes have it, and Chestnut is elected secretary. (She takes her 
place.) 
White Oak. — Our musician, Pine (Bessie), has kindly arranged the music for us. She. 
sings only when the spirits move her. We may know when that is by the peculiar swajf- 
ing of her head. At the swaying let us suspend business and listen. She moves — we 
will hear “The echoes from the Forest.” 
White Oak. —We are now ready for discussion. (Several trees rising at once.) 
White Oak.—Tulip tree has the floor. 
Tulip Tree (Herman). — Fellow trees, I am glad to have this opportunity to plead my 
qualifications as an ornamental tree. I grow to a great size and height and have shining, 
queer-shaped leaves and large, tulip-shaped blossoms which remind you of the sunny 
South, where my sisters, the Magnolias, live. 
Burr Oak (Joseph). — I should like to ask Tulip tree of what use he is? Michigan 
people have a right to demand of us both usefulness and beauty. 
Tulip Tree. — I am not only valuable as an ornamental shade tree, but I also furnish 
excellent timber for carriage bodies, furniture and finishing houses. Years ago my fore¬ 
fathers were numerous south of the Grand River Valley, and supplied wood for laths, 
shingles and lumber in the place of the white pine. Our family is a small one, repre¬ 
sented in Michigan by a single species. 
White Oak. —We shall be glad to hear from any members of the Oak family who live 
in Michigan. (Sixteen members rise.) 
White Oak. — This is certainly a large family. I recognize Chestnut as entitled to the 
floor. What claims have you to rank in the Oak family? 
Chestnut. — All botanists of the present day agree that the Beech, the Ironwood, the 
blue Beech, and the Hazels and Chestnuts are first cousins to the Oaks. I live in four 
counties in the south-east part of the State and am well known for valuable timber and a 
good crop of edible nuts. 
Beech.— Upon my smooth, gray bark many a heart history has been carved. The poet 
Campbell tells it so beautifully: 
Their vows of truth an 
And, on my trunk’s su 
Carved many a long f( 
rs have I stood, 
in my shade 
id rapture paid, 
moving frame, 
orgotten name. 
And here is another beautiful thing from Whittier: 
“ I have always admired the taste of the Indians around Sebago Lake, who, where 
their chief died, dug round the beech tree, swaying it down, and placed his body in the: 
rent, and then let the noble tree fall back into its original place, a green and beautiful 
monument for a son of the forest.” 
I am one of the commonest and well-known trees of Michigan. 
Burr Oak.— Ten of us Oaks, out of about 300, live in this State. Brother White Oak 
is by far the most common and well known. He is the senior member of our family and 
has attained a very great age. He never thrives in perfection except in a good soil and 
in a temperate climate. The Michigan people are proud that so many of our family live 
with them. 
Tulip Tree.— White Oak is certainly loyal to his family, but I should like to hear the 
uses of his tree. 
