14/Maryland Manual

STATE TREE. Maryland has chosen for its tree the
White Oak (Quercus alba). The magnificent speci-
men represented here is known as the Wye Oak,
located at Wye Mills on the Eastern Shore. It is
owned by the State (Chapter 731, Acts of 1941;
Code State Government Article, sec. 13-310).

STATE DOG. In 1964, the Chesapeake Bay Re-
triever was declared the official dog of Maryland
(Chapter 156, Acts of 1964; Code State Govern-
ment Article, sec. 13-303).

STATE FLOWER. The Black-Eyed Susan (Rud-
beckia hirta) has been the official Maryland flower
since 1918 (Chapter 458, Acts of 1918). A yellow
daisy, or coneflower, it blooms in late summer
(Code State Government Article, sec. 13-305).

STATE BIRD. The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus
galbula) is the official Maryland bird (Chapter 54,
Acts of 1947). Special provisions have been made
for its protection (Chapter 154, Acts of 1882; Code
State Government Article, sec. 13-302). The
oriole's plumage of black and yellow, the same
colors as in the Calvert shield, led to its early
association with the name of the proprietor. In
1698, "Baltemore Birds" were among the "Beasts
of Curriosity" ordered sent from Maryland to grace
the royal gardens (Archives of Maryland 23: 455-
56).