Studies of Trees

Studies of Trees, by Jacob Joshua Levison

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Title: Studies of Trees
Author: Jacob Joshua Levison
Release Date: June 23, 2005 [EBook #16116]
Language: English
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[Illustration: Frontispiece.
"Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your Teacher."
--WORDSWORTH.]

STUDIES OF TREES
BY J.J. LEVISON, M.F. Lecturer on Ornamental and Shade Trees, Yale University
Forest School; Forester to the Department of Parks, Brooklyn, N.Y.
FIRST EDITION FIRST THOUSAND
1914

PREFACE
In presenting this volume, the author is aware that there are several excellent books,
dealing with one phase or another of tree life, already before the public. It is believed,
however, that there is still need for an all-round book, adapted to the beginner, which
gives in a brief and not too technical way the most important facts concerning the
identification, structure and uses of our more common trees, and which considers their
habits, enemies and care both when growing alone and when growing in groups or
forests.
In the chapters on the identification of trees, the aim has been to bring before the student
only such characters and facts as shall help him to distinguish the tree readily during all
seasons of the year. Special stress is laid in each case on the most striking peculiarities.
Possible confusion with other trees of similar appearance is prevented as far as possible
through comparisons with trees of like form or habit.
Only such information is given concerning the structure and requirements of trees as will
enable the reader better to understand the subsequent chapters. In the second half of the
book, practical application is made of the student's general knowledge thus acquired, and
he is acquainted with the fundamental principles of planting, care, forestry, wood
identification and nature study.
The author recognizes the vastness of the field he is attempting to cover and the
impossibility of even touching, in a small hand-book of this character, on every phase of
tree study. He presumes no further; yet he hopes that by adhering to what is salient and
by eliminating the less important, though possibly interesting, facts, he is able to offer a
general and elementary résumé of the whole subject of value to students, private owners,
farmers and teachers.
In the preparation of Chapter VIII on "Our Common Woods: Their Identification,
Properties and Uses," considerable aid has been received from Prof. Samuel J. Record,
author of "Economic Woods of the United States." Acknowledgment is also due to the
U.S. Forest Service for the photographs used in Figs. 18, 122 to 138 inclusive and 142; to
Dr. George B. Sudworth, Dendrologist of the U.S. Forest Service, for checking up the
nomenclature in the lists of trees under Chapter V; to Dr. E.P. Felt, Entomologist of the
State of New York, for suggestions in the preparation of the section of the book relating
to insects; to Dr. W.A. Murrill, Assistant Director of the New York Botanical Gardens,
for Fig. 108; and to Mr. Hermann W. Merkel, Chief Forester of the New York Zoological
Park, for Figs. 26, 59 and 60.
J.J. LEVISON.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. June, 1914.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
HOW TO IDENTIFY TREES The Pines The Spruce and Hemlock The Red Cedar and
Arbor-vitae
CHAPTER II
HOW TO IDENTIFY TREES (Continued) The Larch and Cypress The Horsechestnut,
Ash, and Maple Trees Told by their Form Trees Told by their Bark or Trunk The Oaks
and Chestnut
CHAPTER III
HOW TO IDENTIFY TREES (Continued) The Hickories, Walnut, and Butternut Tulip
Tree, Sweet Gum, Linden, Magnolia, Locust, Catalpa, Dogwood, Mulberry, and Osage
Orange
CHAPTER IV
THE STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS OF TREES
CHAPTER V
WHAT TREES TO PLANT AND HOW Trees for the Lawn Trees for the Street Trees
for Woodland Trees for Screening
CHAPTER VI
THE CARE OF TREES Insects Injurious to Trees and How to Combat Them Important
Insects Tree Diseases Pruning Trees Tree Repair
CHAPTER VII
FORESTRY What Forestry Is and What It Does Care of the Woodland
CHAPTER VIII
OUR COMMON WOODS: THEIR IDENTIFICATION, PROPERTIES AND USES
Woods Without Pores (Soft woods) Woods with Pores (Hard woods)
CHAPTER IX
AN OUTDOOR LESSON ON TREES

INTRODUCTION

A good many popular books on trees have been published in the United States in recent
years. The continually increasing demand for books of this character indicates the
growing public interest