The _leaves_ are alternate, simple, oval to lance-like in shape, with
edges broken by many fine incurved teeth, thick and shiny above, and
paler beneath.
The _fruit_ is dull purplish-black, about as large as a pea, and is
borne in long hanging clusters. It ripens in late summer, and is edible,
although it has a slightly bitter taste.
The _wood_ is reddish-brown with yellowish sapwood, moderately heavy,
hard, strong, fine-grained, and does not warp or split in seasoning. It
is valuable for its lustre and color and is used for furniture, interior
finish, tools, and implement handles. With the exception of black
walnut, black cherry lumber has a greater unit value than any other
hardwood of the eastern United States.
The wild cherry, _Prunus pennsylvanica_ L., is a small tree, growing
on light soils, in the northern part of the State. The bark is a dark
reddish-brown; the leaves are lance-shaped bright green and shiny
above, while the fruit is round and bright red in color.
The choke cherry, _Prunus virginiana_ L., is common along fences and
under larger trees in the forest in the northern half of the State. It
seldom becomes a tree but it bears a fruit which is sweet but very
astringent and is dark purple when ripe.
+HONEY LOCUST+ _Gleditsia triacanthos_ L.
THE honey locust occurs scattered throughout the State. It grows under a
wide variety of soil and moisture conditions. It sometimes occurs in the
forest, but more commonly in corners and waste places beside roads and
fields. It reaches a diameter of 30 inches and a height of 75 feet. The
_bark_ on old trees is dark gray and is divided into thin tight scales.
The strong thorns--straight, brown, branched, sharp and shiny which grow
on the 1-year-old wood and remain for many years--are sufficient to
identify the honey locust.
[Illustration: HONEY LOCUST