Fig. 104. Leaf of American Elm
Observe the edge of the elm leaf carefully. The teeth not only curve gracefully toward the extreme tip of the leaf, but they are themselves also toothed,—a form known as double-toothed. The leaf is coarse and rough to the touch, in marked contrast to the birch family, whose leaves it slightly resembles. There are several elms famous in the history of our country. At Cambridge is the old elm under which George Washington drew his sword and took command of the American Army on July 3, 1775; there are several other “Washington Elms” in different parts of the country, while New Haven is known as the City of Elms. William Penn made his famous treaty with the Indians under the branches of a magnificent elm, which remained standing until it was over two hundred years old, when it was finally blown down. The spot has been marked by a marble column.
The tree is called the American, or white, elm, and we have several other varieties growing wild, including the well-known slippery elm, so called because the inner bark is slippery and edible.
47. The Birches. If the black birch with its sweet, aromatic bark is not known to a boy, the white, or canoe, birch is sure to be. It seems to be the fate of this beautiful tree to be disfigured by every wandering youth who has strength enough to tear off a strip of its paper-like bark.
Fig. 105. Leaf of Black Birch
The leaf of the black, or sugar, birch may be distinguished from the elm by its smoothness and thinness. Its base is slightly heartshaped, the edge is double-toothed, the tender bark on the twigs is sweet to the taste, and the leaves grow in pairs.
Fig. 106. Birches bordering a Canal