Morning journal and courier., 1889-02-27
STURDY KINGS OF THE FOREST.

Professor Daniel c. Eaton Lectures
 Upon "Oaks''-The Worlds Famous
 Ones-Kinds in This Country-The Historical Charter Oak-Woodbridge
 Oak, It's Age and AssocIatlons-Eng-
 ligh Oaks.
 Professor Daniel c. Eaton delivered very interesting lecture in the mechanics course at North Sheffield hail last evening on "Oaks.-' He said that he had chosen this for subject because at the time he made his decision the old Woodbridge oak had just fallen a victim to the destroyer's axe. Ad- vanoing into the subject, he continued: It takes good many years for an acorn to grow into big tree. The best cutting tim Der is between 150 and 200 years old. After this the tree decays at the center faster than 1t grows outside.
 There are in the world about 2S0 different kinds of oaks. Thirty-seven are given by Prof. Sargent as common to the United States. Of these thirty-two are trees and five are shrubs. In Connecticut there are about a dozen varieties, and it is hoped the number will be increased by one or two be- fore long: The kinds in Connecticut all be- long to the section with cup whose mouth is wide enough for the acorn to fall out. With most of the others the cup incloses the acorn.
 Our home oaks are of two series: The first are white oaks; the second are red and black oaks.
 Of the white oaks Connecticut has seven species The lobes of the leaves are rounded and cut in deeply. The acorns are long and rough, with a hemispherical cup. The name "white oak" is given because the bark is of light coler. The largest and most famous white oak shown to us was the charter oak on the Stewart estate in Hartford. Two hun d roH nd md ancient tree. The historical connections which have made it famous are well known.
 On August 20, 1856, great storm swept over this part of New England and the aged tree was blown down. It was then about zoo or 800 years old. It caused much ex- citement; dirge was played by the army band, and bells were told at sunset. It was thirty-three feet in circumference, and 37 men could stand in its cavity at one time. It was proved to be white oak by it's leaves and other signs.
 In speaking of black oaks, many of which are to be found in Hillhouse woods and other well-known spots. Prof. Eaton said that the old Woodbridge oak was one of this kind. This tree, said he, was on Long Hill, four and one-half miles north east of North Sheffield. It was an ancient landmark and was cut down because it was feared that some of its branches might fall on somebody sometime, a thing which would happen as surely as the antiquated parthenon on our green would one of these days fall upon some stray selectman of Woodbridge. At the memorable gathering under the branches of this old denizen on October 13, 1882, prominent men of city and State and this idea. was frequently expressed that the old oak was all of 1000 years old. Its girth was 27 feet at the ground and five feet above it was 22 feet. I thought then myself that it was about that age. When it was cut down we found that a mere shell only was left. It was from six to twelve structure was gone. By marks and rings on the outer shell it was evident that it had grown one inch in ten or eleven years, while the inner growth was as much in six or eight years. Considering all data at hand it is clear to me that the oaks age was between 375 and 400 years. The charter oak was three or four times older than the Wood- bridge oak.
 Ali of the many less important kinds of oak were discussed at length by the profes- sor He spoke of the young pin oak before Dwight Hall and said it would in time be a fine tree.
 The live oaks of the South, he said, are fifty to sixty feet in height. The wood is l heavy, hard, strong and tough. It is excel l lent for ship building and the government l keeps large supply on hand for warships.
 But few of the English oaks are in this I country but they are the only ones usually | found in England. There are two or three | in this city, near Prospect street. The an- clent Britens and Druids worshiped this oak | ana held their courts of justice and service | under It. King Arthur's storied round table i was an oak. After England became naval power, oaks were protected and propagated | with great care. There are several large famous oaks in England and many 1, 900 1 years old or more.