Trees You Want To Know - free ebook by Donald Culross Peattie

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Trees You Want To Know

Donald Culross Peattie

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Trees You Want to Know

Trees You Want to Know

By DONALD CULROSS PEATTIE Illustrations of the eastern trees from the classic “Sylva of North America” by Francois Andre Michaux; illustrations of western trees by Ethel Bonney Taylor. COPYRIGHT 1934 WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY RACINE, WISCONSIN PRINTED IN U.S.A. Every American wants to have at least a speaking acquaintance with the trees that make up our great national heritage, the unequalled forests of North America. The camper, the tramper, the woodsman, the gardener, the motorist, and the in

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LIMBER PINE (Pinus flexilis)

LIMBER PINE (Pinus flexilis)

Shape broadly round topped; 40-50 ft. tall. Trunk massive, short. Bark on young growth light gray, on old breaking into scales, furrowed and finally black. Branches whorled and open. Needles in clusters of five, stout, rigid, short, forming clusters at branch ends. Cones 3-4 in. long; scales thick; seeds not winged. Range Albt. to w. Tex., mts. of the Gt. Basin and up the e. slopes of the Sierras; rare on the Calif. side. WHITE BARKED PINE ( Pinus albicaulis ) similar, with silvery bark, short n

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WHITE PINE (Pinus Strobus)

WHITE PINE (Pinus Strobus)

Shape pagoda-like, up to 250 ft. tall. Bark bluish-black, smooth or in age forming large plates. Branches whorled on young trees, horizontal. Needles clustered in fives, soft, slender, 3-4 in. long, bluish-green with white lines. Cones often curved, 4-6 in. long. Range : Newf. to Gt. Lakes region and Minn., s. from the Virginias on the mts. to Ga. The wood is light, soft, even-grained and beautiful, used for interior finishing. “Soft Pine” has played a great role in our history. In the days of w

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SUGAR PINE (Pinus Lambertiana)

SUGAR PINE (Pinus Lambertiana)

Shape with a broad, flat topped crown. Trunk up to 220 ft. tall, massive, usually clothed with branches to the ground. Bark smooth, dark gray on young branches, thick and scaly on old trunks, the plates purplish brown to cinnamon. Branches in remote regular whorls, the upper in age very elongated, bending under the weight of many big cones. Needles 5 in a cluster, stout, rigid, 3-4 in. long, dark green. Cones very large, 12-18 in. long. Range : mts. of extreme s. Ore. along Coast Ranges and Sier

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PIÑON PINE (Pinus edulis)

PIÑON PINE (Pinus edulis)

Shape bushy finally broad topped, 10-40 ft. tall. Trunk slim, straggling. Bark irregularly ridged, becoming covered by light ruddy scales. Branches horizontal, crooked. Needles in clusters of 2 (rarely 3) stout, rigid, ¾-1½ in. long. Cones only ½-¾ in. long, with thick scale-ends, yellowish-green, lustrous. Range : Foothills of the Rockies from Colo. to w. Tex. and through interior desert states to Mex. The sweet edible seeds are an article of commerce in Mexico and the West. A precious fuel in

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RED PINE (Pinus resinosa)

RED PINE (Pinus resinosa)

Shape broadly pyramidal in youth, broad topped in age; up to 150 ft. tall. Trunk 2-5 ft. thick. Bark gray, shallowly fissured into broad flat ridges, loosely scaly. Branches stout, spreading, often drooping, but twigs generally ascending. Needles in clusters of 2, rigid, stout, triangular, dark, glossy, 5-6 in. long. Cones thin scaled, 2-6 in. long. Range : e. Can. N.E., N.Y., n. Gt. Lakes region, w. Pa. The strong, ruddy wood is greatly in demand for bridges and buildings. Masts and spars made

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WESTERN YELLOW PINE (Pinus ponderosa)

WESTERN YELLOW PINE (Pinus ponderosa)

Shape spire-like, round topped, up to 200 ft. tall. Trunk massive. Bark ruddy, round ridged, scaly in age, with huge plates. Branches short, thick, forked, often drooping. Needles in clusters of 3, densely crowded at branch tips, dark yellow-green. Cones densely clustered, oval-oblong, lustrous, ruddy, sometimes hook-scaled. Range B.C. to Ore. and s. in the Sierra Nevada to Calif. ROCKY MT. YELLOW PINE ( Pinus scopulorum ) differs in little except its shorter stature (not over 75 ft.), shorter n

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SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE (Pinus echinata)

SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE (Pinus echinata)

Shape oblong, 50-100 ft. tall. Trunk ponderous, often clean and branchless high up. Bark deep ruddy brown, broken in age into broad armor-like plates built up of flaky scales. Needles 3-6 in. long in clusters of 2, deep olive green, slender. Cones very small. Range : Staten Island to s. Ga., and centr. Miss., not on the s. coast plain or in high Appalachians or bottom lands of Mississippi valley. Again in Ark., sw. Mo., ne. Tex., sw. Ill., Ky. and Tenn. Lumbermen recognize two varieties of this

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LOBLOLLY PINE (Pinus Taeda)

LOBLOLLY PINE (Pinus Taeda)

Shape high branched, broad crowned; up to 150 ft. tall. Bark rough, gray-brown, or ruddy, separating in big, long scales. Branches wide spreading, at maturity confined to top of stem. Needles slender, rigid, lustrous light green, 3 or 4 in a cluster, 6 in. long. Cones large with thick bristly scales. Range : Del. to n. Fla., rarely reaching the Appalachians except in the Virginias: along the Gulf to e. Tex., n. in Mississippi Basin to Tenn. The wood is soft, coarse grained and brittle in the cas

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LONG LEAF PINE (Pinus palustris)

LONG LEAF PINE (Pinus palustris)

Shape spindling, a little broader at the crown, 50-100 ft. tall. Bark smooth, thin, with red-brown plates. Branches short, horizontal, scaly. Needles in threes, 10-15 in. long, gleaming and beautiful. Cones 6-10 in. long. Range : Norfolk Va. along the coast to centr. Fla.; far inland in the Gulf States, up to e. Tenn. The wood, strong and durable when not tapped for turpentine, is used for interior finish, bridges, trestles, masts, spars and especially for railway carriages. This valuable tree,

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JACK PINE (Pinus Banksiana)

JACK PINE (Pinus Banksiana)

Shape if well developed broad topped, but usually stunted and scraggling; 15-100 ft. tall. Trunk slim, often contorted. Bark ruddy brown, gray and shaggy with age, forming irregular ridges. Branches wide spreading, their twigs often drooping and ruddy. Needles scrubby, rigid, twisted. Cones 1-2 in. long, remaining closed and grayish for years, finally brown, 1-2 in. long. Range : N.S. to L. Mistassinie and the Mackenzie R., skirting well south of James’ Bay; Gt. Lakes region to centr. Minn. Thou

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BIG CONE PINE (Pinus Coulteri)

BIG CONE PINE (Pinus Coulteri)

Shape broad spreading at the top; 40-90 ft. tall. Bark dark, with braided fissures. Branches clothing stem near to base, lower extended. Needles pale, 3 in a cluster, 5-14 in. long, very scant. Cones 10-13 in. long, 5-7½ in. thick. Range : Coast Ranges of centr. and s. Calif. Scarcely prepossessing in stature or foliage, this tree has the largest cones among all pines. DIGGER PINE ( Pinus Sabiniana ) is similar, ranging in a circle of the lower mts. surrounding the interior valleys of Calif. Sha

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LODGEPOLE PINE (Pinus Murrayana)

LODGEPOLE PINE (Pinus Murrayana)

Shape narrowly pyramidal, 70-80 ft. tall. Bark close, firm, light orange-brown. Branches ascending near the top, the lower down sweeping. Needles stout, 2-3 in. long. Cones clustered, ¾-2 in. long. Also called Tamarack Pine, this lofty slender tree makes dense monotonous forests from the Yukon along the Rockies to s. Colo. and Utah, and along the Sierras to s. Calif. It is used for mine timbers, railway ties, and its very tall, slender, straight stems furnished the western Indians with tepee pol

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EASTERN LARCH. TAMARACK (Larix laricina)

EASTERN LARCH. TAMARACK (Larix laricina)

Shape narrow or in old trees broadly pyramidal; 30-90 ft. tall. Trunk slender. Bark smooth, ruddy brown, or on old trees rough with rounded scales. Branches , horizontal or sweeping down, with young ones, borne in thick clusters at the tip of the knob-like projections from the twigs, falling in winter, renewed each spring, soft, ¾-1 in. long. Cones remaining on the tree all winter, brown turning black. Range : Bogs throughout the Can. forest belt to the arctic tree line; not on the Rockies; s. t

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WEST. LARCH. TAMARACK (Larix occidentalis)

WEST. LARCH. TAMARACK (Larix occidentalis)

Shape narrowly pyramidal; 80-200 ft. tall. Bark very dark, on old trunks becoming bright crimson and divided into huge plates. Branches short, horizontal. Needles in clusters, except on the young growth, from woody knobs, rigid, short, pointed, pale, renewed each spring, falling in winter. Cones many scaled, 1-1½ in. long, with long slender bracts protruding from between the scales. Range : Mts. of B.C. to w. Mont., and s. to the Blue Mts. of Ore. No other American conifer produces such hard, he

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RED SPRUCE (Picea rubra)

RED SPRUCE (Picea rubra)

Shape loosely pyramidal; 40-75 ft. tall. Trunk slender. Bark reddish brown, flaky with thin scales. Branches ascending near the top of the tree, the lower down sweeping. Needles fragrant, 4-angled, scarcely more than ½ in. long. Cones 1½-2 in. long, clustered near the summit. Range : Marit. Provs. of Can., N.E., N.Y., s. on the mts. to Pa., and highest peaks of Va. and N. C. Employed for construction, pulp, and flooring, this is also considered the best American wood for resounding boards of mus

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BLACK SPRUCE (Picea mariana)

BLACK SPRUCE (Picea mariana)

Shape very narrow, spire-like; 20-90 ft. tall or sometimes a knee-high dwarf even when very old, on the muskeags of the Northwest. Bark grayish brown, flaky, thin-scaly. Branches very short, horizontal or a little down sweeping, lightly up curving at the tips. Needles bluish green with a whitish bloom, ½-¾ in. long, 4-angled. Cones ½-1½ in. long; scales stiff and thin. Range : Throughout the forest belt of Can., except the Rockies, s. to Pa. and thence on the high mts. to N.C., centr. parts of M

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SITKA SPRUCE (Picea sitchensis)

SITKA SPRUCE (Picea sitchensis)

Shape a loose open pyramid, spire-like at the summit; up to 200 ft. tall. Trunk massive, often buttressed at the base. Bark broken into large, thin, loose, reddish scales. Branches close, slender, horizontal with rigid leading shoots. Needles flat, ½-1 in. long, silvery white above, often twisted. Cones 2½-4 in. long with stiff scales. Range : Alaska to Mendocino Co. Calif., always near the coast. This, the most important lumber tree of Alaska, is used for interior finish, boat-building, barrels

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WHITE FIR (Abies concolor)

WHITE FIR (Abies concolor)

Shape a symmetrical pagoda-like tapering cone, up to 220 ft. tall. Trunk massive. Bark thin, smooth, whitish-gray, in age deeply furrowed; ridges rounded, with ashy scales. Branches widely spaced, whorled, on old trees the lower sweeping to the ground. Needles flat, pale blue with a bloom. Cones 3-6 in. long, their thin scales overlapping, deciduous. Range : On the Sierra Nevada of Calif. and s. Ore. Also mts. of w. Colo., Utah, Ariz. and N. Mex. ALPINE FIR ( Abies lasiocarpa ) is almost identic

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CANADA BALSAM (Abies balsamea)

CANADA BALSAM (Abies balsamea)

Shape pyramidal, up to 70 ft. tall. Trunk slender. Bark grayish brown becoming scaly, with raised blisters containing resin. Branches in whorls, horizontal. Needles appearing all in 1 plane on young or sterile twigs, bristling all around the twig on old and cone-bearing branches, pale below with grayish lines. Cones with sticky, shedding scales. Range : Labr. to James’ Bay and nw. to Mackenzie R., N.E. N.Y. and s. on the mts. to Va. This beautiful, fragrant tree, the finest eastern Christmas tre

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CANADIAN HEMLOCK (Tsuga canadensis)

CANADIAN HEMLOCK (Tsuga canadensis)

Shape a broad-based pyramid, the tip feathery; 50-80 ft. tall. Trunk often fluted. Bark reddish to gray brown, with shallow, broad, connecting ridges, somewhat scaly. Branches long, slender, horizontal or drooping at base, ascending near top. Needles all in 1 plane, shining, paler below, flattened, ½ in. long, short-stalked. Cones small, short-stalked, hanging, few-scaled, 3-4 in. long. Range : N.S. to Wis., and Minn., s. to Del. and along the mts. to Ga. The value of this tree lies chiefly in i

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WESTERN HEMLOCK (Tsuga heterophylla)

WESTERN HEMLOCK (Tsuga heterophylla)

Shape broadly pyramidal, becoming narrow in age; up to 200 ft. tall. Bark ridged and ruddy. Branches slender and pendulous, the twigs bright red, upright. Needles spirally arranged around the twigs, curved, acute, round or keeled, slender, light bluish green with whitish lines on both sides, ½-1 in. long. Cones 2-3 in. long. Range : se. Alaska to Marin Co. Calif., s. in the Rockies to Ida. and Mont. The wood is strong, easily worked. The bark is rich in tannin and the inner bark is eaten by Indi

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DOUGLAS FIR (Pseudotsuga taxifolia)

DOUGLAS FIR (Pseudotsuga taxifolia)

Shape with a broad or narrow pyramidal crown; up to 200 ft. tall. Bark smooth, shiny, dark gray-brown; in age deeply fissured, forming broad ridges. Branches : lower drooping, middle and upper ascending. Needles ¾-1¼ in. long. Cones 2-4 in. long with thin scales from which finally protrude the 3-forked bracts. Range : B. C. to centr. Calif. and n. Mex., along the Rockies from Mont. to w. Tex. and N. Mex. This is an important timber tree, especially in Oregon; it is used for all kinds of construc

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BALD CYPRESS (Taxodium distichum)

BALD CYPRESS (Taxodium distichum)

Shape broadly or narrowly pyramidal, to 150 ft. tall. Trunk massive, buttressed and fluted, becoming hollow with age, and accompanied by outlying “knees” or spongy breathing knobs sometimes 10 ft. tall, and long horizontal surface roots. Bark light cinnamon brown, flaky. Branches erect or spreading, the much forked twigs drooping. Needles falling in autumn. Cones 1 in. long, with thickened woody scales. Range : Swamps near the coast, Gulf States n. to Del., and up the Mississippi to s. Ind. The

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CALIFORNIA BIG TREE (Sequoia gigantea)

CALIFORNIA BIG TREE (Sequoia gigantea)

Shape at first broadly spindle, finally clean trunked, ending in a broad, pointed crown. Trunk buttressed, 250-300 ft. tall, greatly swollen at base; above this point 17-34 ft. thick. Bark thick, fibrous, deeply grooved, dark cinnamon-brown, the outer plates dull lavender-gray. Branches short, slender, curving forward and upward on young trees and clothing stem to base; on old trees lofty, large, crooked, drooping at tip. Leaves blue-green, scale-like and overlapping, or, on young or fertile sho

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REDWOOD (Sequoia sempervirens)

REDWOOD (Sequoia sempervirens)

Similar to the preceding but even taller (100-350 ft. or perhaps 400 ft.). Differing also in the trunk which is ultimately clean of branches for 100 ft., and the scale-like or needle-like leaves on the main branches which do not overlap but are irregularly scattered. Cones smaller (¾-1 in. long). Range : N. and centr. Coast Ranges of Calif. Though less restricted in range than the Big Trees, Redwoods do not go far from the influence of the sea fogs along the Pacific coast. The wood is crimson br

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INCENSE CEDAR (Libocedrus decurrens)

INCENSE CEDAR (Libocedrus decurrens)

Shape narrowly pyramidal, up to 150 ft. tall. Trunk massive, irregularly lobed or fluted. Bark bright cinnamon red broken into irregular ridges covered with scales. Branches erect above, the lower sweeping down in bold curves. Scales light green, long and narrow, often keeled, in opposite pairs, overlapping around the erect twigs (except at their tips) and giving them a square look, becoming woody before falling. Cones made up of 6 scales, the lowest pair bent back, the uppermost united. Range :

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ALASKA CYPRESS (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)

ALASKA CYPRESS (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)

Shape elongated-pyramidal, up to 120 ft. tall. Bark ashen brown with diagonal ridges. Branches horizontal, repeatedly forking to form flat sprays. Scales closely overlapping the twigs, fragrant, minute, or on leading branches larger and spreading, becoming brown and woody in age. Cones resinous, dryly fleshy. Range : s. Alaska to the Cascade mts. of Ore. The wood, very durable, aromatic, close-grained, clear yellow, is used for shipbuilding. One of the finest timber trees in the world, it has be

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WHITE CEDAR (Chamaecyparis thyoides)

WHITE CEDAR (Chamaecyparis thyoides)

Shape slenderly conical, 20-90 ft. tall. Bark grayish brown, separating off in shreddy strips, somewhat spirally twisted. Branches short, sparse, slender, horizontal, forking into feathery branchlets. Scales minute, pressed closely to the stem and overlapping, keeled on the back and glandular, spicy-aromatic. Cones gummy, very small, finally opening toward the center into a few thick scales. Range : Swamps from se. Me. to Fla. (but not on the peninsula) and around the coast to Miss. The light ru

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EASTERN ARBOR VITAE (Thuja occidentalis)

EASTERN ARBOR VITAE (Thuja occidentalis)

Shape a very compact symmetrical pyramid. up to 70 ft. tall. Trunk often forked and lobed, or buttressed, clothed to the base by the branches. Bark ash gray to light brown, separating into flat shreddy strips, spirally twisted. Branches short, horizontal, or the lowest down sweeping. Scales gray green, closely overlapping and thickly investing every twig to form a beautiful flat forked spray of foliage; each scale with a raised glandular spot which gives off a sweet, camphor-like fragrance. Cone

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WESTERN ARBOR VITAE (Thuja plicata)

WESTERN ARBOR VITAE (Thuja plicata)

Shape narrowly pyramidal, up to 200 ft. tall. Trunk much buttressed. Bark cinnamon red. Branches clothing the stem to the base, short, horizontal, pendulous at tip. Leaves bright and glossy, in the form of long scales closely investing the twigs, each scale marked by a whitish triangular spot, the needles on vigorous leading shoots often not overlapping but remote, bristling, sharp. Cones little over ½ in. long, elliptic-oblong. Range : Alaska to n. Calif. and Mont. The wood differs from the eas

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WESTERN JUNIPER (Juniperus occidentalis)

WESTERN JUNIPER (Juniperus occidentalis)

Shape round headed, 20-60 ft. tall. Trunk often forked half way up. Bark cinnamon, fissured and shreddy, with glossy scales. Branches beginning low on the trunk, very large, horizontal. Scales short, overlapping all around the twig, grayish, glandular. Berry resinous, large. Range : Mt. slopes and high prairies from e. Wash. and w. Ida. to San Bernardino Mts. of s. Calif. The wood of this picturesque tree is red, soft, light, durable, used for fences and fuel. Fond of wind-swept crags, “it dies

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RED OR VIRGINIA CEDAR (Juniperus virginiana)

RED OR VIRGINIA CEDAR (Juniperus virginiana)

Shape cypress-like, narrowly pyramidal, 40-100 ft. tall. Trunk becoming 3-4 ft. thick, buttressed at base. Bark ruddy, shredding in long ribbon-like strips. Branches at maturity sharply erect, spreading in youth and age. Scales very short, turning russet in winter in the North, closely overlapping except on vigorous young shoots, when they are erect and needle-like and paler. Berry resinous, sweet. Range : N. S. to Fla., Tex., and Minn. The soft, aromatic, red and yellow wood is used for lead pe

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PALMETTO (Sabal Palmetto)

PALMETTO (Sabal Palmetto)

Trunk at base knob-like, rooty; 30-40 ft. tall, 2 ft. thick, hollow, with a light ruddy rind. Leaves shining, 5-6 ft. long 7-8 ft. broad, on stalks 6-7 ft. long. Flowers small, greenish white, in very long, branched clusters from upper leaf axils. Range : along coast from Wilmington, N. C. to the Appalachicola R., Fla. Especially abundant on the Fla. w. coast, this tree finds use as a food, the cabbage-like terminal bud being eaten as “hearts of palm.” The bristles on the sheaths of young leaves

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BLACK WILLOW (Salix nigra)

BLACK WILLOW (Salix nigra)

Shape short trunked, broad crowned, up to 90 ft. tall. Trunk often forking near the base. Bark rough, scaly, dark brown on old trunks. Leaves 2-4 in. long, lance-shaped, downy when young, short stalked, appearing with the flowers and turning lemon yellow in autumn. Range : N.B. to e. Dak., throughout the Middle West, and s. to Fla. and Ariz. Also in centr. Calif. SHINING WILLOW ( Salix lucida ) is a tall shrub or sometimes a small tree, the leaves when young covered with rusty or sordid hairs, b

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QUAKING ASPEN (Popular tremuloides)

QUAKING ASPEN (Popular tremuloides)

Shape round-topped, 20-60 ft. tall. Bark greenish white to yellowish brown on young parts, though with dark blotches below the branches, smooth except on very old trunks which become dark and furrowed. Branches slender, often drooping at the ends. Twigs smooth, shiny, tan. Buds slender, shining, scarcely sticky, red. Leaves blue-green with whitish veins, on long flattened stalks. Range : Newf. to the Yukon, s. to N. J. and the mts. of Pa. and Ky., through the Middle West and along the Rockies to

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LARGE TOOTHED ASPEN (Populus grandidentata)

LARGE TOOTHED ASPEN (Populus grandidentata)

Shape a rather narrow round topped head, up to 90 ft. tall. Bark smooth, grayish, rough only on old trunks. Twigs stout, reddish brown, gray downy in Spring. Buds big, dusty-looking, only slightly sticky. Leaves on flattened stalks, turning gold in Fall. Range : N. S. to Ont. and Minn., Ill., and Ind., s. in the mts. to N. C. The wood is used for excelsior, pulp, and cheap lumber. SWAMP BLACK POPLAR ( Populus heterophyla ) is a similar tree but with rough dark bark and darker twigs, larger, hear

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CAROLINA COTTONWOOD (Populus balsamifera)

CAROLINA COTTONWOOD (Populus balsamifera)

Trunks often forking from the base, often leaning. Bark gray green; in age gray, furrowed, with braiding ridges. Twigs ocher, sometimes corky ridged. Buds sticky, brown. Leaves with a translucent border, paler beneath, yellow in fall. Range : Que. and N. B. to Fla., Tex. and Kans. A small tree of shores and low plains, with rainy-sounding, twinkling foliage, sending forth at fruiting time clouds of downy seeds. FREMONT COTTONWOOD ( Populus Fremontii ) has leaves tapering at tip, not paler beneat

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MOCKER NUT HICKORY (Carya alba)

MOCKER NUT HICKORY (Carya alba)

Shape oval, 50-70 ft. tall. Trunk somewhat swollen at base. Branches more or less down sweeping except the upper ones. Bark not shaggy but broken by rough, corky, braided ridges that appear as if sand-papered. Twigs stout, ruddy, downy. Buds pale gray, thick, densely hairy, many-scaled. Leaves of 7-9 resinous leaflets, paler beneath. Fruit a large husk splitting into 4 segments; nut brownish; kernel sweet. Range : Gulf States to s. Gt. Lakes region and s. N.E. The wood is used like that of shagb

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SHAGBARK HICKORY (Carya ovata)

SHAGBARK HICKORY (Carya ovata)

Shape narrowly oblong, up to 140 ft. tall. Bark smoke gray, shaggy and peeling off in long thick strips. Branches pendulous. Twigs erect, stout. Buds large, many scaled. Leaves of 5-7 leaflets. Fruit with a thick husk splitting into 4 segments; nut whitish, 4-ridged, the kernel delicious. Range : Gt. Lakes region to Tex. and Fla., e. to N. E. The wood is heavy, hard, tough, employed for all implements requiring strength, such as axles, axe handles, ploughs, and skiis. This noble tree leafs out l

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BUTTERNUT (Juglans cinerea)

BUTTERNUT (Juglans cinerea)

Shape oval, up to 90 ft. tall. Bark deeply fissured, gray; twigs stout, downy and sticky when young, as are the stout buds. Leaves with downy, sticky stalk and central axis, consisting in 11-19 leaflets. Fruits 3-5 on a branch, ½ in. long, coated with matted, clammy, rusty hairs; the husk not splitting; nut 2-celled at base, ridged, with sweet kernel. Range : N.B. to Va., s. in the mts. to Ga., w. to centr. Minn. and s. to Ark. The light brown, soft wood is used for furniture and interior finish

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BLACK WALNUT (Juglans nigra)

BLACK WALNUT (Juglans nigra)

Shape round headed, short trunked, up to 150 ft. tall. Bark brown, furrowed. Twigs thick, downy at first. Buds flattened, with 4 scales. Leaves with 15-25 pairs of leaflets, minutely downy beneath, becoming smooth and shiny above. Fruit solitary or paired, about 2 in. thick, the husk not splitting, thick, bitter-smelling; kernel sweet inside the 4-celled, black nut. Range : s. N.E. to Gt. Lakes region and centr. Neb., s. to e. Tex., and s. on the piedmont to Ga. and Ala. The very strong heavy, d

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CANOE BIRCH (Betula papyrifera)

CANOE BIRCH (Betula papyrifera)

Shape broadly pyramidal: up to 80 ft. tall. Bark soft, chalky white (gray, or orange, in some regions) peeling around the stems in papery strips. Branches horizontal, often pendulous at the ends. Leaves shining above, black-dotted below. Range : Lab. to Alaska and Wash., s. to Pa., s. Mich., s. Wis., and w. to Neb. and Mont. The wood is valued for woodenware. This lovely tree with cheerful foliage and softly gleaming bark, lightens the somberness of northern forests, and furnished Indians with c

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CHERRY BIRCH (Betula lenta)

CHERRY BIRCH (Betula lenta)

Shape pyramidal in youth, broad topped in age; up to 80 ft. tall. Bark on young parts lustrous red brown, on old brown and cracked. Branches ultimately wide spreading, drooping at the ends. Twigs slender, lustrous red brown. Leaves fragrant, like the bark, 2½-6 in. long with yellow midrib, the undersides veiny and downy in the axils. Range : Me. to the mts. of Ala., w. to Ohio. The wood is heavy, strong, dark and satiny. It is used for ships and furniture. It yields birch oil which is employed m

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AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus grandifolia)

AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus grandifolia)

Shape broad topped; up to 100 ft. tall. Trunk massive. Bark smooth, bluish gray. Branches greatly forked, terminating in many delicate pale gray twigs. Leaves thin and filmy or becoming thicker and darker in the South, turning a soft gold in autumn. Fruit a small brown edible nut enclosed in a box-like rusty, knobby husk which splits, after frost, by 4 valves. Range : N.B. to e. Wis., s. to e. Tex. and n. Fla. The wood is strong, tough and handsome but warping and not durable. The bark is an ing

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HOP HORNBEAM (Ostrya virginiana)

HOP HORNBEAM (Ostrya virginiana)

Shape with a round branchy top; to 70 ft. tall. Bark gray, scaly, rough. Twigs slender, tough. Leaves 3-5 in. long, light yellow green below, with downy tufts in the axils of the veinlets. Range : Cape Breton to the Black Hills, s. to Fla. and e. Tex. The wood is heavy, hard, tough, used for tool handles, woodenware, etc. This shady graceful tree is birch-like in form and bark, but beech-like in leaf; its autumn foliage being clear yellow. IRONWOOD ( Carpinus caroliniana ) is a similar but small

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WHITE ELM (Ulmus americana)

WHITE ELM (Ulmus americana)

Shape , with a broadly umbrella-form top, up to 120 ft. tall. Trunk often forking. Bark light gray, scaly and fissured. Branches very numerous but only at the tip where they spread upwards like the spokes of an umbrella, drooping at the ends. Leaves rough above, paler beneath, a bright clear yellow in autumn. Range : Throughout the e. half of the United States; n. to Newf.; reaching the Rockies from Sask. to Colo. This magnificent tree characterizes stream banks and valleys in the wild, and in c

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SLIPPERY ELM (Ulmus fulva)

SLIPPERY ELM (Ulmus fulva)

Shape with a broad, open, flat topped head: 60-70 ft. tall. Bark dark brown tinged with red, divided by shallow fissures and covered by large scales. Twigs stout, bright green, rough and downy. Leaves very scratchy above, densely downy beneath, turning dull yellow in autumn. Range : Throughout the e. half of the country and se. Can. A massive, handsome tree, whose wood is used for agricultural implements, fence posts and ties. The thick fragrant inner bark of the branches is mucilaginous and was

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COMMON HACKBERRY (Celtis occidentalis)

COMMON HACKBERRY (Celtis occidentalis)

Shape round topped: to 120 ft. tall. Trunk slender. Branches spreading or pendulous. Bark light brown to silver gray, smooth until old age when broken into scales or warty knobs. Leaves lustrous and rough above, turning yellow in autumn; Fruit orange red to dark purple, with thin edible flesh and large stone. Range : N. C. to Kans. and n. to Que. and Man. This handsome tree has not much timber value; its leaves in the South are sometimes heavy and dark green. MISSISSIPPI HACKBERRY ( Celtis laevi

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SOUTHERN CHINQUAPIN (Castanea pumila)

SOUTHERN CHINQUAPIN (Castanea pumila)

Bark light brown, furrowed with narrow cracks. Leaves 3-5 in. long, white-downy beneath, dull yellow in fall. Flowers in dangling white catkins. Fruit a spiny husk containing 1 small, sweet, brown nut. Range : e. Tex. to Mo. and up the Ohio to Pa. Also uplands from Ala. to Tenn. and Md. A mere shrub over much of its range, Chinquapin is a tree 50 ft. tall in the far South. The nuts are offered in the southern markets. CHESTNUT ( Castanea dentata ) has been almost annihilated by chestnut blight.

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TANBARK OAK (Lithocarpus densiflora)

TANBARK OAK (Lithocarpus densiflora)

Shape symmetrical, pyramidal, short-trunked, 40-150 ft. tall. Bark on young trunks white-mottled, on old brown, smoothish or checked into rough plates. Leaves 2-5 in. long, evergreen, the undersides densely white downy beneath, becoming smooth, with a white bloom; nerves parallel, conspicuous beneath. Fruit acorn-like but the cup scales almost prickly. Range : Mts. of sw. Ore. and n. Coast Ranges of Calif.; also in the Sierra Nevada to Mariposa Co. The wood is hard and strong, used for furniture

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WHITE OAK (Quercus alba)

WHITE OAK (Quercus alba)

Shape short-trunked, with very broad rounded top; 50-70 ft. tall. Bark light gray, broken by shallow fissures into long, thin, flaky scales. Branches wide-spreading. Leaves reddish brown in autumn. Range : s. and w. N.E. to centr. Fla. and e. Tex., through the s. Gt. Lakes region to se. Minn. The wood is strong, tough, heavy and durable, and is used for boat-building, interior finish, agricultural implements, barrels and clapboards. The bark is valued in tanning. VALLEY OAK ( Quercus lobata ) ca

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POST OAK (Quercus stellata)

POST OAK (Quercus stellata)

Shape short-trunked, with broad, dense, round head; 60-100 ft. tall. Bark grayish brown, deeply fissured. Branches horizontal. Twigs brown. Leaves thickish, rough to touch above, gray downy below. Range : On the coast plain and piedmont of the Gulf States, n. to s. N.E., and up the Gt. Valley to Mo. and Ia., up the Ohio to Pa. The wood is heavy, hard, durable, but difficult to season; used for ties. The acorn is edible, like that of the White Oak, when boiled, and was used as a coffee substitute

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OVERCUP OAK (Quercus lyrata)

OVERCUP OAK (Quercus lyrata)

Shape a symmetrical, round topped head; up to 100 ft. tall. Branches inclined to droop, rather short. Leaves shiny above, white downy beneath, turning a deep cardinal red in autumn. Range : Swamps and river bottoms, coast plain and piedmont from the Gulf States to s. N. J., and up the Gt. Valley to Neb., Ill., and Ohio. The wood is like that of the White Oak and similarly used. BUR OAK ( Quercus macrocarpa ) is similar but the leaves broader, 5-8 in. long, maroon in autumn. Branches very wide-sp

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BASKET OAK (Quercus Prinus)

BASKET OAK (Quercus Prinus)

Shape a round topped, dense head; up to 100 ft. tall. Trunk massive. Bark scaly, light gray. Branches stout, wide spreading. Leaves rather rigid, 4-8 in. long, grayish downy beneath. Range : Gulf States and n. in the Mississippi basin to Mo. and the Wabash R. Along the coast plain and piedmont to Del. This is a most imposing tree in the South. It is used in basketry, for ties and other rough construction. YELLOW CHESTNUT OAK ( Quercus Muehlenbergii ) is similar, but with a narrow head, narrower

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SWAMP WHITE OAK (Quercus bicolor)

SWAMP WHITE OAK (Quercus bicolor)

Shape broad topped, 60-90 ft. tall. Bark light grayish brown, scaly. Leaves white down beneath, turning yellow brown or orange red in autumn. Range : s. N. E. to Gt. Lakes region and Minn., s. to Tex. and Fla. The wood is valuable like that of the White Oak but the tree is not so handsome. It is easily distinguished by its bark and the numerous twigs. ROCK CHESTNUT OAK ( Quercus montana ) is a massive tree with dark brown, ridged bark and foliage similar to the above but larger, glossy above and

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SOUTHERN LIVE OAK (Quercus virginiana)

SOUTHERN LIVE OAK (Quercus virginiana)

Shape short trunked, the very broadly spreading branches making a crown wider than high; 40-50 ft. tall. Bark dark brown, rough, deeply furrowed, the ridges a grayer brown. Leaves evergreen, thick, 2-4 in. long, paler beneath with very fine down. Range : Coast plain from Tex. (and far up the Rio valley) to the Gt. Dismal Swamp and Mobjack Bay, Va. The wood is light golden brown, beautiful, very hard to work, used for ornamental interior finish on ships. With the immense spread of its branches th

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WILLOW OAK (Quercus Phellos)

WILLOW OAK (Quercus Phellos)

Shape with a conical crown; to 80 ft. tall. Trunk stocky. Bark deep ruddy brown, shallowly seamed. Leaves glossy above, lighter beneath. Range : Gulf States and n. in the Gt. Valley to Ky., around the coast to Long Island. But for its acorns, small as they are, they would scarcely be recognized as an oak from its leaves. A favorite shade tree in S. cities. LAUREL OAK ( Quercus imbricaria ) is very similar, with larger, broader leaves, the under surface downy. Pa. to Ga., w. to s. Wisc., e. Neb.,

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RED OAK (Quercus borealis)

RED OAK (Quercus borealis)

Shape round headed; 50-150 ft. tall. Trunk usually extensively branching about 15 ft. from the ground. Bark on young parts gray brown; on trunk dark brown and finally broken by shallow furrows into long, straight, flat faced ridges. Twigs rather slender, red. Leaves paler beneath, in autumn turning a rich maroon red. Range : N.S. and the St. Lawr. and Gt. Lakes basins (exc. L. Superior) throughout the forest belt of the Middle West, s. to w. Tex. and centr. Tenn., s. on the mts. to Ga. Not a val

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SWAMP SPANISH OAK (Quercus palustris)

SWAMP SPANISH OAK (Quercus palustris)

Bark dark brown with gray patches, scored with shallow, short, vertical furrows. Branches horizontal and finally somewhat drooping. Twigs numerous, slender. Leaves 3-5 in. long, paler beneath and tufted in the axils of the veins with fine hairs. Autumn foliage a rich cardinal red. Range : Chiefly lowlands of the Ohio Valley sw. to Okla. and Kans., ne. through Pa. to Del., s. N. Y. and the lower Connecticut valley. A fine tree reaching 100 ft. tall. PIN OAK ( Quercus coccinea ) differs in having

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BLACK OAK (Quercus velutina)

BLACK OAK (Quercus velutina)

Trunk massive. Bark deep gray or sepia (the inner bark bright orange yellow) very rough and thick, broken into short, thick, corky, cross scored ridges. Twigs reddish mottled with gray, stout. Leaves dull whitish olive beneath, turning dull brownish or orange or red in autumn. Range : s. and w. N. E. to w. Ont. and Minn., s. to n. Fla., e. Tex., and e. Kans. One of the finest and largest of all our oaks, 50-160 ft. tall. The bark is rich in tannin and the yellow dye, quercitron is derived from t

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WATER OAK (Quercus nigra)

WATER OAK (Quercus nigra)

Shape , with a conical head; 30-80 ft. tall. Bark smooth above but on old trunks brownish gray, rough ridged. Leaves shining on both sides, but paler beneath, with hair tufts in the axils of the veins, often evergreen. Range : Swamps and bottomlands, Gulf States n. in the Mississippi basin to Ky., around the coast to Del. BLACK JACK OAK ( Quercus marilandica ) is a small, slim-stemmed tree with rough black bark and thick, short, contorted branches; the leaves are broad, thick, lustrous olive gre

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BROAD LEAVED CUCUMBER TREE (Magnolia acuminata)

BROAD LEAVED CUCUMBER TREE (Magnolia acuminata)

Shape oblong, 50-90 ft. tall. Bark grayish brown, broken into small thin scales, the ridges narrow and braiding. Buds silky. Leaves on the undersides paler and slightly downy; 6-10 in. long. Flowers about 2 in. long, tulip-shaped, slightly fragrant, blooming in late May. Range : Chiefly the Appalachians, w. to s. Ill. and Ark., n. to w. N. Y., and n. shore of L. Erie, s. to s. Ala. This handsome tree is chiefly valued as an ornamental but the wood is used occasionally where tensile strength is n

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EVERGREEN MAGNOLIA (Magnolia grandiflora)

EVERGREEN MAGNOLIA (Magnolia grandiflora)

Shape broadly pyramidal, symmetrical; to 90 ft. tall. Trunk short, thick. Bark brown-gray, finally rough with short thin scales. Buds large, silky. Leaves evergreen, leathery, glittering above, rusty downy beneath. Flowers 6-8 in. across, water-lily-like, fragrant with waxy petals that fall one by one. Range : Low grounds near the coast from se. N. C. to Tex. and up the Mississippi to Ark. Not centr. and s. Fla. This beautiful ornamental tree is cultivated far beyond its range in the wild. The f

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TULIP TREE (Liriodendron tulipifera)

TULIP TREE (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Shape with a small pyramidal head; up to 190 ft. tall. Trunk straight and often massive (to 10 ft. thick) sometimes clean of branches for 100 ft. Bark brownish gray with short, deep vertical furrows and rounded ridges. Branches slender, curved, the lower drooping; twigs erect, shining brown, many bearing the flowers like candelabra. Leaves turning rich gold or russet in autumn. Flowers 3-4 in. across, blooming in May and June. Range : Southern States (exc. Tex., Okla. and s. Fla.) to s. parts of

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GREAT LEAVED MAGNOLIA (Magnolia macrophylla)

GREAT LEAVED MAGNOLIA (Magnolia macrophylla)

Shape broadly spreading, to 50 ft. tall. Trunk slender. Bark light gray, divided into minute scales and shallowly furrowed. Buds silky. Leaves 1-3 ft. long, clustered at the tips of the branches, white-downy beneath. Flowers bell shaped, 8-12 in. across, blooming in May and June. Range : Gulf States to Ark. and e. Ky. Rare in w. N. C. This tropical looking tree, with astonishing great leaves and flowers, has no value but an ornamental one. EAR LEAVED UMBRELLA TREE ( Magnolia Fraseri ) is a slend

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CALIFORNIA LAUREL (Umbellularia californica)

CALIFORNIA LAUREL (Umbellularia californica)

Shape short trunked, with a dense crown, making a broad based, dome shaped thick tree 50-60 ft. tall. Bark drab or brown. Leaves evergreen, aromatic, thick, 3½-4½ in. long. Fruit olive-like, reddish or brown-purple when ripe, 1-1½ in. long; seed large. Range : Coast ranges from Ore. to s. Calif., also on the w. slopes of the Sierra Nevada. A magnificent unique tree, often forming groves of great beauty in cañons and mountain valleys. The wood is heavy, hard, strong, intricately patterned and is

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SASSAFRAS (Sassafras officinale)

SASSAFRAS (Sassafras officinale)

Shrub or tree up to 120 ft. tall. Trunk reaching 7 ft. in diameter. Bark becoming very rugged, brown, broken into braided twisted ridges on young trees cracked into short blocks. Branches very crooked, ascending. Twigs bright green, very limber, the bark mucilaginous as are the Leaves which are paler beneath, aromatic when crushed, turning orange and scarlet in autumn. Flowers appearing with the leaves in early spring, greenish gold, the sexes on separate trees. Fruit a “stone-fruit”, very hands

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SWEET GUM (Liquidambar styraciflua)

SWEET GUM (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Shape broad headed, 40-140 ft. tall. Trunk massive. Branches ascending above, horizontal below, often corky ridged on the twigs. Bark gray brown, deeply furrowed vertically, the ridges broad, flat and scaly. Twigs bright green. Leaves fragrant when crushed, turning deep yellow or rich red in autumn. Fruit a hard, spherical head, often persistent all winter, most of its chambers empty of fertile seeds. Range : s. States n. to Mo., and, near the coast, through the Middle Atlantic States to se. Con

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PAWPAW (Asimina triloba)

PAWPAW (Asimina triloba)

Shrub or low tree, up to 40 ft. tall. Trunk at most 1 ft. thick. Bark dark brown marked with large ash colored blotches. Leaves 6-12 in. long. Flowers borne singly, about 1½ in. across, with 6 fleshy maroon or purple petals and 3 reflexed green sepals, blooming March-April. Fruit fleshy, 3-5 in. long, by 1-1½ in. thick, weighing 6-12 ounces, the skin brown, finally black. Range : s. states to se. Neb., s. Mich., Ont., rarer up the Atlantic seaboard to e. Pa. The leaves of this curious little tre

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JUNEBERRYSHADBUSHSERVICE TREE (Amelanchier canadensis)

JUNEBERRYSHADBUSHSERVICE TREE (Amelanchier canadensis)

Shape narrowly round-topped, up to 40 ft. high. Bark gray, with sepia brown striping, becoming furrowed into flat scaly ridges on old trees. Leaves turning rusty red in autumn. Flowers blooming while the leaves are just expanding (March-May,) similar to those of apple or hawthorn, but the petals strap-shaped and more graceful. Fruits edible, similar to those of hawthorn. Ripe in summer. Range : Me. to Ga., Ia., La., and Mo. In N.E. this is a mere shrub, but it becomes quite a fine tree southward

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COMMON SYCAMORE PLANE (Platanus occidentalis)

COMMON SYCAMORE PLANE (Platanus occidentalis)

Shape broadly round topped, 50-150 ft. tall. Trunk massive, up to 13 ft. thick, becoming our most ponderous tree, except the Sequoias. Bark smooth, peeling in roundish, thin, brittle plates, leaving blotches of white, green, and tan. Leaves 4-9 in. wide, turning russet in autumn. Fruit a soft spherical head of nutlets embedded in hairs, green becoming light brown. 2-4 balls together. Range : Throughout the e. U.S.A. except s. Fla. and the far north. The wood of this picturesque river-bank tree i

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AMERICAN CRABAPPLE (Malus coronaria)

AMERICAN CRABAPPLE (Malus coronaria)

Shape with broadly hemispherical, irregular top, 18-30 ft. tall. Trunk usually forking in a shrubby way. Bark fissured, dark red-brown, scaly. Branches contorted, twiggy, and often thorny. Leaves lobed or un-lobed, finally more or less smooth on both sides, turning yellow or purplish in autumn, or nearly evergreen in the South. Flowers white or pink, fragrant, in late spring. Fruit greenish or yellowish, waxy, fragrant, hard and sour. Range : N. Y. to Fla., Miss., Mo. and Ill. When in full flowe

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BLACK CHERRY (Prunus serotina)

BLACK CHERRY (Prunus serotina)

Shape narrowly oblong, to 100 ft. tall. Trunk stout and straight. Bark at first smooth, glossy, mahogany red, becoming finally covered with innumerable small scales. Twigs bright red. Leaves thickish, shining above, clear yellow in autumn, with a dark red gland near the stalk. Flowers from March-June. Fruit dark red becoming black with purple flesh. Range : N.S. to N.D., Tex. and Fla. and, in a slightly different variety, N. Mex. and Ariz., in mt. cañons. This stately, beautiful species is one o

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PIN CHERRY (Prunus pennsylvanica)

PIN CHERRY (Prunus pennsylvanica)

Shape narrowly ovoid at the top, or rarely broadly rounded; up to 40 ft. tall. Bark ruddy, shiny brown, smooth or nearly so, with numerous horizontal lines or dots, becoming rather rough and “curly” on old trees. Twigs slim, glossy, sparingly dotted. Leaves rather sparse, drooping like those of the peach, the margin undulating paler beneath. Flowers appearing with the leaves (April-May) or even before them. Fruit about the size of a pea, on a long stalk, ruby red and translucent, very sour. Rang

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KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE (Gymnocladus dioica)

KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE (Gymnocladus dioica)

Shape broadly oval at the top, up to 100 ft. tall. Bark grayish, rough with firm prominent scales. Trunk columnar, often branchless for 70 feet. Branches in winter appearing stump-like. Twigs bright yellow. Leaflets pale yellow green below, margins slightly curled under. The leaves appear very late (May) and, turning clear yellow in autumn, drop early. Flowers in summer, the sexes on separate trees. Pods hanging unopened on branches all winter; a sweet pulp between the bean-like seeds. Range : w

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BLACK LOCUST (Robinia Pseudoacacia)

BLACK LOCUST (Robinia Pseudoacacia)

Shape rather narrowly oblong, up to 80 ft. tall. Bark grayish to blackish, with very high, sinewy, braiding ridges. Twigs armed with spines sometimes 1 in. long. Leaves very thin, dull dark blue green, paler beneath, turning yellow in autumn. Flowers in May and June, fragrant. Pods persistent long after leaf-fall. Range : Appalachians, Pa. to Ga., and in Okla. and Ark. Widely planted and naturalized elsewhere. The wood of this favorite street and lawn tree is hard and durable, used for ship-buil

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HONEY LOCUST (Gleditsia triacanthos)

HONEY LOCUST (Gleditsia triacanthos)

Shape with a broad, flat topped head, up to 140 ft. tall. Bark dark gray, scaly. Twigs zigzag, with swollen joints. Spines red to brown, in leaf axils or on stem and branches. Leaves turning yellow in autumn. Flowers in June, intensely fragrant. Pods many-seeded, pulpy within, contracting by cork-screw twists in withering. Range : from w. slopes of Alleghenies (Pa. to Ala.) across the Gt. Valley to Neb. and Kans., n. to Wis. and Mich. and w. N. Y., s. to ne. Tex. The durable wood is used for rai

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SUGAR MAPLE (Acer saccharum)

SUGAR MAPLE (Acer saccharum)

Shape at first with narrowly oval head, gradually becoming broad topped; up to 120 ft. tall. Trunk stout and often lofty. Bark light gray brown, finally furrowed and separating into small scales. Leaves 4-5 in. across, dark and thickish, turning brilliant shades in autumn, of deep red, scarlet, orange and clear yellow. Range : s. Newf. to Minn., e. Tex. and w. Fla. This noble tree, which makes glorious in fall the quiet streets of old villages in N. E. and e. Can., has heavy strong pale wood val

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OREGON MAPLE (Acer macrophyllum)

OREGON MAPLE (Acer macrophyllum)

Shape compactly round headed; to 80 ft. tall. Bark gray, divided into narrow, ribbon-like, braiding ridges, sometimes cross marked into small squarish plates. Leaves 3-15 in. long, turning brilliant orange in autumn. Flowers with conspicuous petals, fragrant. Range : Alaska to the mts. of s. Calif. This stately colorful timber tree is often associated with Sequoia, when, “with their slender stems and large graceful leaves nicely balanced on the long stalks against the faint light filtered throug

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SILVER MAPLECUTLEAF MAPLE (Acer saccharinum)

SILVER MAPLECUTLEAF MAPLE (Acer saccharinum)

Shape pagoda-like, the upper short branches ascending, the lower long, sweeping nearly to the ground; up to 120 ft. tall. Bark reddish brown or gray, becoming furrowed and thinly scaly. Leaves 6-7 in. long, thin, translucent, beautifully silvery below, the toothing very ornamental; drooping on bright red stalks; pale yellow in Fall. Range : N.B. through Gt. Lakes region to centr. Minn., e. Neb., to Ark., s. to Ga., Ala., and centr. Miss. The wood is used like that of Sugar Maple. This swift-grow

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COMMON BOX-ELDER (Acer Negundo)

COMMON BOX-ELDER (Acer Negundo)

Shape broadly round topped; 15-50 ft. tall. Trunk slender and often crooked, short and wavy ridged. Bark light brown gray with narrow shallow furrows and short, flat topped ridges. Twigs light olive. Leaves of 3-6 veiny leaflets, dark or olive green. Range : throughout the e. U.S.A. (probably not native in N.E.) and s. Can. to the Rockies, and southwestward through the desert states. Variable over its wide range, sometimes with foliage white- or yellow-margined or spotted, this river bank tree p

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SWEET BUCKEYE (Aesculus octandra)

SWEET BUCKEYE (Aesculus octandra)

Shape a narrowly pyramidal head; up to 90 ft. tall. Bark dark brown, grayer with age, rough scaly. Branches small, pendulous. Leaves of 5-7 leaflets, turning brown in autumn. Petals unequal, longer than the stamens. Seed chestnut-like but inedible, called Horsechestnut. Range : Pa. to Ala., especially in the s. Appalachians and w. to Wis., Ia., Okla. and Tex. When, in spring, the turrets of golden flowers rise on the branch tips, this symmetrical tree seems lighted with candelabra. OHIO BUCKEYE

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AMERICAN LINDEN (Tilia glabra)

AMERICAN LINDEN (Tilia glabra)

Shape round-topped, symmetrical, to 130 ft. tall. Bark brownish gray and fissured, the ridges braiding. Twigs slender, smooth, ruddy. Leaves smooth but for hairy tufts on the veins beneath, turning yellow in autumn. Range : N.B. through the Gt. Lakes region and southw. to Tex., s. to Ga. on the mts. This stately tree, also called Basswood, Lime-tree and Whitewood, is a favorite with the bees on account of its honey scented flowers in May and June. They perfume the air for many yards around. DOWN

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BLACK GUM (Nyssa sylvatica)

BLACK GUM (Nyssa sylvatica)

Bark light brown tinged with red or dark brown or nearly black, smooth even in old age or sometimes becoming deeply furrowed. Branches short, with spur-like short twigs. Leaves thick, shining, turning a brilliant maroon brown in autumn. Berry solitary or twin. Range : Me. to Fla. and Tex., w. to n. Ind. and Mo. This curious tree, which inhabits the lower slopes of the s. Appalachians as well as swamps and savannahs near the coast, is often hollow in old age, a favorite hide-out of raccoon and op

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EASTERN DOGWOOD (Cornus florida)

EASTERN DOGWOOD (Cornus florida)

Shape very broadly round- or flat-topped, up to 40 ft. tall. Trunk slender, short, inclined to lean or twist. Bark black and roughish. Leaves clustered toward the ends of the erect up-curved twigs. Flowers consisting in many little green florets enclosed in the 4 big, petal-like, greenish or white (or, exceptionally, pinkish) bracts, March-May. Range : Me. and Que. w. to Minn., s. to Fla. and Tex. The bark has been used as a substitute for quinine. This enchanting little tree, best developed in

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PACIFIC MADROÑA (Arbutus Menziesii)

PACIFIC MADROÑA (Arbutus Menziesii)

Bark on young trees and branches reddish, peeling off; on old trunks reddish-brown. Leaves 3-4 in. long, evergreen, thick, smooth and glistening above, the undersides pale with a bloom. Flowers in branched clusters, 5-6 in. long, in spring. Fruit bright orange red, pulpy and seedy, often seen on the tree at the same time as the flowers. Range : B. C. to mts. of Calif. This superb ornamental tree sometimes rises to 100 ft. in the damp coastal forests, the brilliant fruit and graceful flowers wavi

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HOLLY (Ilex opaca)

HOLLY (Ilex opaca)

Shape with narrowly pyramidal top, 40-50 ft. tall. Trunk short. Bark smooth, gray mottled with whitish. Leaves evergreen, thick, paler beneath, occasionally without the usual spiny teeth. Berries red or rarely yellow. Range : Gulf States n. to Mo. and s. Ind. and up the coast plain to s. Mass; reaches the Blue Ridge in the Carolinas and Ga. This lovely little tree is in great danger of extermination owing to the demands of a relentless Christmas trade. It is now rare in a wide radius of all citi

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VIRGINIA PERSIMMON (Diospyros virginiana)

VIRGINIA PERSIMMON (Diospyros virginiana)

Shape with a round topped head: up to 115 ft. tall. Bark dark brown or black or gray, covered with warty, corky, rectangular plates. Leaves rather thick, shiny above, pale and often downy beneath, turning deep claret in fall. Flowers thick petaled with an odor like Gardenia, the sexes on separate trees. Fruit at first green, hard, and astringent, becoming amber or ruddy about the time of the first frosts, soft and edible. Range : s. Conn. to Fla. and e. Tex., Ozarks and Ia. Scarcely n. of the Oh

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WHITE ASH (Fraxinus americana)

WHITE ASH (Fraxinus americana)

Shape broadly round topped. Trunk massive. Bark light gray, deeply and regularly furrowed, with narrow braiding ridges. Branches ascending, the lower often long and finally drooping. Twigs stout, smooth, brittle, greenish gray. Buds rusty. Leaves of 5-9 stalked leaflets, silvery below, turning yellow or purple in autumn. Range : N. S. to w. Ont., and Minn., e. Neb., Kan., Okla. and Tex., s. to n. Fla. A superb shade tree, it is also one of the most valuable of our timber trees. Its wood is heavy

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CATALPA (Catalpa bignonioides)

CATALPA (Catalpa bignonioides)

Shape round topped, up to 50 ft. tall. Bark silvery gray, only slightly furrowed, finally with ribbon-like scales. Branches few. Twigs stout. Leaves 6-7 in. broad, downy beneath, very late in appearing and early turning dull brown and dropping. Flowers in beautiful upright clusters, the petals marked with gold and purple spots, exhaling a heavy fragrance. Pods persistent almost through the winter on the leafless twigs. Range : near the coast through the Gulf States. Widely planted and naturalize

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