_SECOND READING.--HARD WOODS._
Let us now briefly describe the principal varieties of our Canadian
trees which lose their leaves every autumn, and are therefore called
_Deciduous Trees_; and first we shall begin with the Oak. There are at
least thirty different species of Oaks found in our Canadian forests,
all growing to a size that makes them valuable as timber. Most of them
form noble specimens of ornamental trees, when they stand out free, and
separate from each other. The White Oak, when so found, is one of the
grandest objects in the vegetable kingdom. The seeds of the Oak, which
are called acorns, are found ripe on the trees in October and November.
There are about ten different species of Maples found in our woods, all
beautiful and ornamental trees. The Sugar Maple is a tree of especial
beauty, and in the autumn months is remarkable for the brilliant color
of its leaves. The seeds of the Maple are what is called _winged_. They
may be found lying under the old trees in autumn.
The Ash is another valuable Canadian tree; and of this genus about
twenty species are found in our forests. All are more or less valuable,
both for their timber and for their ornamental qualities. Several of
the species, especially those called the _White_ and the _Black_ Ash,
are found upwards of 100 feet in height, with diameters, close to
the ground, of three to four feet through. The timber is much prized
for its toughness and strength, and is used in the manufacture of
implements, barrel hoops, and the wood-work of machinery. The Ash is
always found on deep land, having a rather damp and cool bottom. The
seeds are ripe in November, and may then be gathered from the trees.
Of the Beech, there is only one species found in Canada, but here and
there varieties of it are to be met with, caused by difference of soil
and aspect. It grows to a large size, when not closely surrounded by
other trees. Its timber is held in high esteem; but as it does not
last long when exposed to the weather, it should therefore be used for
indoor purposes only. The Beech is not a long-lived tree, as it becomes
matured within 150 years. It succeeds best on dry, gravelly soils. The
seeds are called _nuts_, and are ripe in October, as every country
schoolboy knows.
The Sweet Chestnut is another of our timber trees deserving of notice.
There is only one species of it to be found in Canada, and it is in
all respects the same as the European Sweet Chestnut. It is a majestic
tree, where found standing alone, and its timber is of a very durable
nature, much sought after for many purposes, especially for posts and
fence-rails. This tree grows best on deep, dry, and strong land, where
it often reaches a height of 100 feet, with a proportionate trunk. The
seeds are called _nuts_, and may be used as food.
The Hornbeam (or _Ironwood_, as it is generally called in Canada,)
is a tree of moderate size, and is plentiful on the dry parts of our
forest-land. It has much the same appearance as the Beech, but it is
easily distinguished from that tree by the curled edges of its leaves,
and by its darker and rougher bark. The timber is very hard, of a
close and compact texture, and is much used for farm purposes, where
strength is required. The seeds of this tree are called _nuts_, and
each is enclosed in a peculiar leafy substance, called by botanists a
_perianth_.
The Walnut is found plentifully in most bushes in the southern parts of
Ontario. It includes nine or ten species, all growing to considerable
size, and forming very handsome trees, as for example, the _Black
Walnut_, _Butternut_, _Pecan Nut_, _Hickory_, _Bitter Nut_, and _Hog
Nut_: each having beautiful foliage. The Hickory is especially known
for the toughness and other valuable qualities of its timber; and every
boy is familiar with the delicious nuts which this tree produces. All
these trees grow best on a deep, rich soil.
The Plane is another member of our Canadian forests deserving of
notice, and is a tree of peculiar beauty. Its wide-spreading branches,
clothed with large leaves, make it well adapted for shelter or
shade. In Canada it is best known by the name of _Cotton-wood_, or
_Button-wood_, and is also familiar as the _Sycamore_. The British name
for it is the Plane Tree. It is found on deep, loamy lands, by the
sides of our rivers and lakes, forming a tall, massive-headed tree,
often upwards of 130 feet in height, with a trunk of from three to five
feet in diameter. The timber is not held in high estimation, though
sometimes used for furniture-making, and for some parts of the inner
work of house-building. The tree can be grown from cuttings of the
young wood.
The Elm in our woods is a stately tree, and often rises to the height
of 140 feet, with a stem of six feet in diameter. There are several
species of Elm, but the most important is the _White_, which, on
deep and cool-bottomed land, attains the dimensions stated. Where
individuals of this species stand alone, with all their limbs fully
developed, they form grand and imposing objects. The timber of the
various species is used in house-building and in the manufacture of
agricultural implements. The seeds ripen in the early part of summer
when they may be gathered and sown at once.
Of the Birch there are several species found in our woods, but the
_Tall Birch_ and the _Paper Birch_ are the most important and best
known. Both species are of graceful habit and foliage. The _Paper
Birch_ is particularly remarkable on account of its cream-colored,
paper-like bark. Both kinds attain large dimensions in favorable soil,
being often found from 90 to 100 feet high, with stems of two or three
feet in diameter. It is from the bark of the Paper Birch that the
Indians construct their canoes; hence it is often called the _Canoe
Birch_. The timber of this tree enters largely into the manufacture of
furniture, and for this purpose it is exported to Europe. The seeds are
contained in _catkins_, which hang from the points of the branches, and
ripen in October.
The Tulip may be easily known by its leaves, which are quite unlike
those of almost any other tree, and much resemble a riding saddle. It
grows to a large size, and is highly ornamental; its luxuriant foliage,
together with its numerous greenish-yellow, tulip-shaped flowers,
giving it a fine appearance. The timber is soft, and of no especial
value. There is only one species.
Of the Lime we have four different species in our woods, namely:
the _Broad-leaved_, the _Downy-leaved_, the _Thin-leaved_, and the
_Variable-leaved_. This tree is more generally known to Canadians
by the name of _Basswood_. All the species are graceful trees, with
sweet-smelling flowers. Many of them grow to a large size on rich,
deep lands, often attaining the height of 120 feet, with stems ranging
from three to five feet in diameter. The timber is white and soft,
when newly cut up, but, as it becomes seasoned, it acquires firmness
of texture, and when kept dry, lasts well in house-building. It
is employed by shoemakers and saddlers for cutting-boards, and is
well-suited for carving purposes.