"I can tell them by the leaves," said Donald. "Try me."

So as Uncle Robert pointed to them Donald called them all by name. There
were oaks and maples, hickories, walnuts, and butternuts, and close to
the creek the overhanging willows.

"Can you tell a tree by its shape when you look at it from a distance?"
asked Uncle Robert.

"I can tell the willows and poplars," said Frank, "and maples, too."

"The trees in the pasture have a different shape from those in the
woods," said Uncle Robert. "I mean trees of the same kind. How do you
explain that?"

"Why, the trees in the pasture have a chance to spread out," said
Donald. "There isn't so much room in here."

"But these trees are taller," said Frank, "and they are straighter,
too."

"Can you tell the direction of the winds that blow the strongest and
longest by the shape of the trees?" asked Uncle Robert.

"I never thought of that," said Frank.

"The wind doesn't blow in the woods," said Donald.

"When we get out into the pasture we'll notice the trees there," said
Mr. Leonard.