Outdoor Visits  by Edith M. Patch

Broad Leaves in Spring

Mr. Gray showed them a picture of a holly tree.

He said, "Holly trees grow best in places where there is not often much snow. Some grow near the sea in the North. But most of them grow in the South.

"The dark shiny leaves stay on the tree all winter. There are lovely red berries that stay, too.

"People like to see green leaves and red berries in winter."

"I wish I might see a holly," said Nan.

"There are some hollies growing in this park," said Mr. Gray.

"Real holly trees?" asked Don.

"No, real holly bushes!" said Mr. Gray. "They are near the pond."

Mr. Gray went with Don and Nan to the pond. Some bushes were growing in low wet ground.

"These bushes are one kind of holly," said Mr. Gray. "One name for them is Winterberry. They have red berries that stay on in winter. Hungry birds come to eat them. The leaves turn black in the fall and drop to the ground."

Mr. Gray told them about an evergreen holly bush that grows near the sea.

"So some kinds of trees and bushes with broad leaves are evergreens and some kinds are not," said Don.