The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1869-08-12
For the Record.
Trees and Shrubs Of Ohio.
BY REV. c. H. WARREN.

As we have claimed for the
oak family the character of pre-
eminent dignity and majesty
among the fine stately trees
of our sylvan forest, may we
not claim and justly too, the
appelation of graceful and ele.
giant for the elm family.
WHITE ELM U7mus AmericOnd.l
This highly esteemed tree is
quite generally diifused over
the United States, found gener.
ally growing in low lands
lands which are mostly fertile.
1t is not only found flOurishing
in our country, bnt is quite
abundant in the eastern cons
tinent, where it has been we'll
known, and highly esteemed
for its beauty and usefulness,
since a very remote period
Travellers inform us, that in
the south Of Europe, particu,
larly III Italy, elm trees are
planted IN vinyards, and vines
are so trained as to form fss.
toons from tree to tree in a
most picturesque manner. 1t
is said to be one of the most
common trees employed to
produce shade to public walks,
avenues, and highways in
France and Germany, growing
rapidly, and soon creating a
widely extended shade. The
leaves of this favorite tree are
smooth above, ablong ovate,
unequal at the base, acumiS
nate, serate, often doubly so.
Flowers in loose cluSt ers, ap.
pearing in early spring before
the unfolding of the leaves
Fruit oval, smooth and light.
The timber of this fine tree is
of but little value, for fuel or
mechanical purposes, dec ay'
ing soon when exposed to the
raisn, sun, and winds. The
trunk of this tree generally
attains a diameter Of from
three to five feet, loosing it.
self suddenly at the top in two
or more primary branches
AS we behold the noble trunk
rising up boldly, clothed with
It's numerous branches, which
are comparatively tapering and
slender, forming themselves
into quite a long trailing,
graceful curve, we cannot but
admire it greatly. For its un.
rivaled beauty it is doubtless
entitlee to n very high regard
by those who desire to employ
trees to ornament grounds
Whether standing alone as a
single tree on the boundaries
of some plantation, or tasteful
ly grouped in numbers Of three
or four upon some grassy
lawn, it developeS itself in all
its crOwning beauty and per-
lection. There are some strik-
king peculiarities connected
with this noble tree; when
young, and as it advances, the
branches appear to spring up
embracing the center, ther
bear of, in beautifully diverg-
ing lines, until in aged trees,
they frequently sweep the
ground with their loose, pend
ant, airy foliage. Throughout
the States of New England,
and in many other parts Of
our country, this fine, large
species is cultivated as Il sha de
and an ornamental tree. The
noble avenues of elms of New
Haven, Conn.,, are the admir-
alton OF all visitors. AS we
pass through those thrifty
charming villages, towns, and
cities Of the eatern States,
nestled SO lovely amidst the
granite rocks and lofty noun
tains, we will find their clean
streets and avenues decorated
with this superb and luxuriant
species of elm. Beautiful spec.
linens may be seen in Cam.
bridge, Mass, Northampton,
Springfield, and Boston. Who
has not read or heard Of the
great elm growing on the Bos.
ton Common which is % feet
in circumference. The leaves
of this tree are light and airy,
but of a very pleasing light
green when they first unfold
themselves, amidst the gay
scenes of an early sDrinp.-