Charles Herbert Otis

“ Thus, Cottonwood in Michigan is Populus deltoides, in Idaho and Colorado Populus angustifolia, in California Populus fremontii and in Kentucky Tilia heterophylla. While it should not be forgotten that in common speech it is proper as well as convenient to call trees by their common names, yet, in view of the many uncertainties pertaining to their use, a scientific name is at times absolutely essential to the clear understanding of what is meant. Latin is the language in universal use by all scientists. ”

“ Moreover, the tree growing in the open, where there is no crowding and there is plenty of light, may differ very greatly from the tree in the forest, where the struggle for existence becomes very keen. A short, thick trunk and low, spreading, many-branched crown characterizes the tree in the open, whereas the forest tree has a long, slender, clean trunk and a narrow crown of few branches. ”

“ Just as we have male and female in the animal world, so we have male and female in the plant world. A few of our trees, as the Locust, Basswood and Cherries have perfect flowers, bearing both stamens and pistil. The great majority, however, have unisexual flowers, bearing stamens or pistils, but not both. When both male and female flowers are found on the same tree, the flowers are said to be monoecious, and when male flowers occur on one tree and the female on a different tree, the flowers are said to be dioecious. ”

“ Some, not esteemed by man, form an important article of diet for the birds and small animals of the forest. Unfortunately, there are a number of limitations to the usefulness of fruit for identification purposes. Some trees require years to mature their fruit. Many trees, while producing an abundance of fruit at certain intervals, bear none at all or only very small and uncertain quantities between the years of abundance. Again, in the case of dioecious trees, only the female or pistillate bear fruit. ”

“ And just as we have little difficulty in recognizing our friends at a distance by some peculiarity of walk or action, so are we able to recognize a great many trees at a distance by some peculiarity of form or habit. ”

“ Often stipule-scars (d, fig. VI) occur on either side of the leaf-scar; these are scars left by the fall of a pair of small leaflets called stipules and located at the base of the leaves, and their form varies according to the form of the stipules which made them.
BARK.—The woodsman uses the bark of a tree more than any other character in distinguishing the trees about him, and he is often able to use this character alone with much accuracy at great distances. ”

“ An artificial key is a scheme for easily and quickly identifying any unknown object under consideration. This bulletin being devoted to the trees of Michigan, the keys to be found herein are intended to make it possible for any person, even if his botanical training be meager, to determine what trees grow about any home or farm, city park or woodlot in the state. ”

“ Moreover, the age of a tree has a great influence on its outline, young trees being generally narrow and more or less conical, broadening out as they become older. We may say, then, that each tree has an individuality of its own, little eccentricities similar to those that make people different from one another. ”

“ In beginning a study of the trees the student should start on a solid foundation, eliminating the uncertainties and the errors which no doubt have appeared and retaining only the established facts. Once started he should go slowly, assimilating each new discovery before seeking another. ”

“ By the use of the keys any person should be able to name and learn the characteristics of the trees of Michigan at any time of the year. These keys should prove of special value to our students in the public schools, to members of nature study clubs, and to the students in the forestry schools of the state. ”

“ How large are the leaves on a flourishing sprout and how small on a stunted tree of the same species growing near by, but under adverse circumstances. How different are the leaves of the big white oak standing in the yard; they are hardly lobed on the lowermost branches, while higher up they are deeply cut. ”

“ Any person desiring to get a more complete knowledge of trees should consult one of the larger manuals. The arrangement used for the illustration and discussion of each single tree makes it possible for the student to compare the drawings with the description without turning a page. ”

“ It is hardly necessary to state that the key is a valuable crutch while learning to walk, but once the leg is strong enough to bear the weight it should be discarded, lest it become a burden. A key has for its main object the guidance of the student through the preliminary steps leading to a more intimate knowledge of the trees. ”

“ No longer used by any civilized nation, it has become a dead language and consequently never changes. Its vocabulary and its constructions will a thousand years hence be the same as they are today. Being in universal use among scientists of all nationalities no confusion arises from the use of a Latin word. ”

“ How important it is, then, that every person, whether school-child or grown-up, should become acquainted with our trees. Most people know a few of our commonest trees, but are ignorant of the great wealth of tree forms about them. ”

“ The Cottonwood is dioecious, and the little seeds are surrounded by a tuft of long, white hairs which enables the wind to carry them to considerable distances from the parent tree, to the disgust of people living within range. ”

“ WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud about 1/8 inch long, conical, smooth, light chestnut-brown; lateral buds divergent, usually only on rapid-growing shoots.
BARK.—Twigs gray-brown and smooth; thick, ash-gray and somewhat roughened on the trunk, becoming more or less fissured in old age.
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, close-grained, yellow-white to light red-brown, with thin, lighter colored sapwood.
NOTES.—Origin in dispute, but probably a native of northern China. Extensively cultivated in China and Japan, where its fruit is esteemed. Easily propagated from seed. Thrives in deep, well-drained, rich soil. ”