Page:Handbook for Boys.djvu/151

130 cherry, very dark, and aromatic. Leaves 2½ to 6 inches long. Newfoundland to Western Ontario and south to Tennessee.

Beech (Fagus Americana) In all North America there is but one species of beech. It is a noble forest tree, 70 to 80 and occasionally 120 feet high, readily distinguished by its smooth, ashy-gray bark. Leaves

3 to 4 inches long. It shares with hickory and sugar maple the honor of being a perfect firewood. Nova Scotia to Wisconsin, south to Florida and Texas.

Chestnut (Castanea dentata) A noble tree, 60 to 80 or even 100 feet high. The most delirious of nuts. Leaves 6 to 8 inches long. Maine to Michigan and south to Tennessee.

Red Oak (Qercus rubra)

A fine forest tree, 70 to 80 or even 140 feet high. Hard strong, coarse-grained, heavy. It checks, warps and does not stand for weather or ground work. The acorn takes two