The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-02-27
Habits Of Trees.

William L. Hall, of the Bureau OF
Forestry, United States Department
of Agriculture, writes thus Of the
habits of trees:
Tree Companionship.-In almost
every region certain kinds of trees
are found together. This is due to a
similarity Of preferences in regard to
soil. heat, moisture and light. Two
trees adapted to the same conditions
viii thrive best in the same situation.
The White Ash and Black Walnut are
goot examples. Having similar pref
erences, they have almost identical
ranges and are very generally associ-
ated. There is also another reason
why trees accompany one another.
A tree may so influence it's surround
ings as to make them favorable to an
other tree. where otherwise they would
be unfavorable. AS an example of
such influence, the Chestnut on sterile,
sandy plains in portions Of New Eng
land forms a much-branched tree.
which shades the ground and keeps it
moist and cool. Such conditions are
favorable to the termination OF the
White Pine in that region; consequent
ly il is found coming up abundantly
beneath the Chestnut, but not so abun-
dantly on the open, unprotected
ground.
Eject Of Change in Surroundings
A change in the surroundings Of a
tree always modifies its habit Of
growth. II the change is toward more
favorable surroundings the result is
seen in increased vigor, rate Of growth,
and sire: II toward unfayorable sur
rclndings. the reverse win be true.
The stately Tulip-tree Of the central
Eastern states is said to be a mere
shrub in Florida. The reason is that
there it is out Of its range OF adapta-
ton. The White Elm, which grows
with tall and vase-like form in New
England, in the semiarid parts Of Kan
sas and Oklahoma is low and spread
ing ike an apple tree. Nor is form
the only variable character. On the
western elm the leaves are fewer in
number. smaller, thicker. and much
rougher than on the New England tree.
In other parts OF the tree there are
differences OF the same kind, though
they are not 80 noticeable as those
in the form and foliage These varia-
tions have resulted from the differ
enees in soil and climatic conditions
to which the tree has been subjected.
Gradual Change.-The difference in
form between two trees Of the same
kind in different localities has come
about through gradual divergence Of
characteristics. To a certain degree
changes OF this kind can be brought
about il practice When a gradual
change is made in cae surroundings OF
q tree a corresponding change takes
place in the tree itself Thus if stock
of the New England elm be slowly
moved westward through many gen
eratioas, It viii gradually change in
form and other characteristics to be
Ike the western tree and il must be
assumed that this change Is neces-
saTy to enable ii TO live under its
new conditions.
Sudden Changes. Sudden changes
in the surroundings Of a tree frequent I
ly cause its death. because It can not
quickly change itself to meet the re-
Quirements Of its new conditions. The
New England elm moved at once to
the semiarid west is likely to die. be-
cause it is not adapted to the condi,
tons OF soil. light. heat. and moisture
az that region n the prairie marshes
OF northern Indiana there are occa-
sional knclls which once supported
thrifty OakS Of moisture-ioving kinds.
Nov that the marshes have been
drained the drying ont az the soil has
caused the oaks 10 die The change
was too sudden Suddenness and
intensity Of change often account for /
the failure Of trees 10 thrive when
moved away from the region TO which I
they we're adapted. This IS also why /
eastern trees 50 often die when moved /
to the west This is Why nursery stock /
Erown near By can be more safely /
planted thAn that grown In a distant 4
region. Il Is practical matter. and /
should Re generally understood.