XX 
THE ACORN TRADE-MARK 
I SN’T IT ODD that of all the trees in the world only 
the oak has ever learned to produce an acorn! 
Wherever one goes and finds acorns growing, he may 
know that the trees that yield them are oaks. Most 
people learn to know oak trees by their leaves. Those 
leaves are usually very irregular with deep notches cut 
into them. In a Southern forest, however, one might 
admire a stately tree with long narrow leaves like those 
of the willow. He might wonder what sort of tree it is. 
Then, suddenly, he would find acorns on it. He could not 
believe that this was an oak tree unless he knew that the 
acorn furnishes the test on which he may depend. This, 
in fact, is an oak and because of its peculiar leaves is called 
a willow oak. 
Then in Central Park, New York, he might admire a 
tall, round-topped tree and, judging by its leaves, might 
conclude that it was a chestnut. But, looking for its fruit, 
he again would find acorns. This, too, is an oak that is 
unusual as to its leaves. It is a chestnut oak. 
The live oaks of New Orleans have leaves somewhat 
like those of the magnolias that grow in the same region. 
The cork oak of Spain has none of the usual scallops in 
its leaves. But all have acorns. 
There are two groups of acorn-bearers. These groups 
are different from each other in the way in which they 
produce their acorns. One of these groups ripens its acorn 
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