New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-25
NORTH AMERICAN OAKS.
THE IMPERIAL GENUS OF OUR FOHhSiS'

North America. Exclusive Of Mexico by
rod Arboretum Of Harvard University Illus
,rated with Figures and Analyses ron vii Ia'1 rs.
BY Charles Edward Faxon |oiume v III ~ ~
puNferae (Quercus) Boston ana Ne"-ioiN
Houghton. Mif'n Co. 1870.
This volume is devoted entirely to the oaks OF
North America and II helps US to understand
ho,v rich our forests are In different species OF
this single genus to find that the book contains
sixty-two plates. a larger number than IN any
NJ its predecessors Sweeping around the giooe
through the temperate regions OF the northern
Hemisphere and occupying lofty mountain
ranges in the tropics, are some three hunoreu
species Of oaks Fifty Of these are founo OF 'ie
North American Continent, exclusive or MeAico,
all but four Of them attaining the stature ~
trees and many of them taking rank among the
roblest Inhabitants Of our forests Aggressive
tenacious of life and constitutionally able TO en-
a,re disasters which kill feebler trees. here as
in other lands 1.-The oaks driving the pines
into the sea-" But although the oak WOODS IN
the Middle and Southern States are spreading IN
area. they are degenerating IN quality, largely
because the bitter acorns OF the olacK OAKS are
left to terminate, while the hogs whch roam
the woods are fattening on the sweet acor"S VI
the more valuable species. This simply means
that II we would preserve our noolest trees we
must not neglect the elementary principles Oh
conservative forestry
The generic description with which the DOCK
rens gives an instructive account OF the note-
worthy species in the different sections OF the
genus throughout the world. including trees
which furnish wood Of the greatest durability
ard beauty trees celebrated as the prime orna-
ments of the fairest parks known to men, trees
which in every age have stood as the emplem
OF massive strength and longevity. trees which
among widely separated races have been vener-
at.d for their association with temple service
and religious ceremony
Coming to the separate American species. the
annual-fruted oaks are first described, the we'll
known white oak Of our Atlantic forest heading
the list. Professor Sargent says Its Vgor'
longevity, and stately habit. the tender tints OF
its vernal leaves when the sunlight plays among
them the cheerfulness OF It's lustrcus summer
green and the splendor OF Its autumnal color
II AXE the white oak one OF the noblest ana most
beautiful trees of the American forest; and
some OF the venerable broad-branched individuals
growing on the hills Of New-England and the
Middle States realize more than any other
American tree that ideal Of strength and du-
rability of which the oak has been the symbol
in all civilized countries" In the forest the white
oak often reaches a height Of $50 feet with
trunk six feet In diameter at the base and
tapering to the first branches. which are often
eeventy-hve or eighty feet above the ground.
When It has the advantage OF space ana light
the short trunk sometimes reaches diameter CT
twelve feet, and its branches cover a circuit
100 feet across. Several individual trees IN
various parts Of the country which are supposed
to be hybrlds between the white oak and other
srectes are mentioned and figured. The Cali
fornan white oak Quercus lobata) Is the largest
Of the oaks on the Pacific Coast. sometimes hav-
Fact IN Han
into great limbs spreading at wide angles to
form q broad head with slender branchlets at
their extremities, sweeping the ground In cir
cult 200 feet 1t was specimen OF this
tree which so impressed Sir Joseph Hooker when
he visited California In company with Asa Gray:
and more than century ago Vancouver grew elo-
ouent in its praise. We are not aware that much
effort has been made to cultivate 1t In Call
fornia, but 1t certainly should not be neglected
as It Is the most graceful Of American oaks as
well as one of the largest. The beautiful Valleys
of Central California, which 50 delighted travel
lere before they were turned into wheat fields
owed their perklike appearance to the dignity
ard grace Of these trees; and even yet nowhere
On our continent can find scenery Of this kind
to compare, as pictures Of pastoral peace, with
these valleys with their long openings between
the majestic trees. Besides the massiveness OF
the trunk and the elmlike lines Of its bread head
the large and brightly colored leaves which
clothe the slender branchlets Of this tree are at
tractive. and are the siender-pointed acorns
which differ from those Of any Of cur Eastern
coast, having beautiful hemispherical cups. some
OF them "a Inches long.
The Garry oak Quercus garryana) Is another
Pacific white oak which reaches its perfection
IN Washington and Oregon, where 1t is often
nearly hundred feet high. the trunk three
faat In nd ascending
branches which spread out into broad head
and assume something Ike a pendulous habi
at their extremites 1t has light gray bark,
and thick dark-gree leaves, and is also rather
elmlike In It's appearance. The burr oak. some
times called the Messy Cup oak. is one Of the
most widely distributed Of the white oaks. al
though 1t Is less common the Atlantic sea-
board than 1t is west of the ueghenies. where
It Is the prevailing tree in oak openings. In the
rich alluvial lands Of the lower Ohio Valley 1t
often has a straight trunk six or seven feet In
diameter. and often rising to the height Of eighty
feet without limb. 1t has great power Of adapt
Ing itself to different soils and conditions. how
ever. AMI will flourish in the driest and most ex-
posed regions inhabited by any Of the east
American oaks 1t is one Of the most useful Of our
timber trees. and the hard close grained. durable
wood 10 valuable for heavy construction and
interior finish. The tree nas deeply cut leaves.
dark. lustrous green above and pale. silvery
white below. handsome fruit and a bulk and
grace which make it one OF the most desirable
oaks for ornamental planting wherever 1t can
have space for full growth. The Burr oak Is not
only one Of the very best Of the genus for forest
planting, but 1t would make interesting orna-
ment for any rural park The Overcup oak
(Quercus lyrata). is another noble tree of this
section which is distributed from the valley OF
~ D. m MARYLAND To Ind
westward to Missouri In spite of its southern
range It proves hardy far north Eastern
Massachusetts. The Post oak (Quercus minor,
long confounded with white oak. Is another beauti-
full tree which at its best Is 100 feet high. with