es a deep, rich, moist soil and grows
naturally near swamps. Its roots are deep and spreading. The tree
grows rapidly and is easily transplanted.

Enemies: None of importance.

Value for planting: The pin oak is an extremely graceful tree and is
therefore extensively used for planting on lawns and on certain
streets where the tree can find plenty of water and where conditions
will permit its branches to droop low.

Commercial value: The wood is heavy and hard but coarse grained and
liable to check and warp. Its principal use is in the construction
of houses and for shingles.

[Illustration: FIG. 64.--Leaf and Fruit of Pin Oak.]

CHESTNUT (_Castanea dentata_)

Distinguishing characters: The *bark* in young trees is smooth and of a
marked reddish-bronze color, but when the tree grows older, the bark
breaks up into *diamond-shaped ridges*, sufficiently characteristic
to distinguish the tree at a glance, see Fig. 65. A close
examination of the _terminal twig_ will show _three ridges_ and _two
grooves_ running down along the stem from the base of each leaf or
leaf-scar. The twig has no true terminal bud. The fruit, a large,
round *bur*, prickly without and hairy within and enclosing the
familiar dark brown, sweet edible nuts is also a distinguishing mark
of the tree.

Leaf: The leaves are distinctly long and narrow. They are from 6 to 8
inches long.

Form and size: The chestnut is a large tree with a massive trunk and
broad spreading crown. The chestnut tree when cut, sprouts readily
from the stump and therefore in places where the trees have once
been cut, a group of two to six trees may be seen emerging from the
old stump.

[Illustration: FIG. 65.--Trunk of Chestnut Tree.]

Range: Eastern United States.

Soil and location: It will grow on rocky as well as on fertile soils and
requires plenty of light.

Enemies: During the past nine years nearly all the chestnut trees in the
United States have been attacked by a fungus disease (_Diaporthe
parasitica_, Mur.) which still threatens the entire extinction of
the chestnut trees in this country. No remedy has been discovered
and all affected trees should be cut down and the wood utilized
before it decays and becomes worthless. No species of chestnut tree
is entirely immune from this disease, though some species are highly
resistant.

Value for pla