elevations. Not often found in the counties adjoining the Alleghanies.
=Habitat=.—Prefers rich bottom lands.
=Notes=.—The American or White Elm is one of the most valuable and
magnificent trees of the United States. Its wood is extensively used
where toughness is desired, as in wagon hubs. It grows to a very large
size and over a wide range, and is unsurpassed in elegance of form
and other characteristics which make it valuable for park and street
planting. In low wet grounds it may be grown for forestry purposes.
[Illustration: HACKBERRY]
HACKBERRY
=Celtis occidentalis=, L.
=Form=.—Height 25-80 feet, diameter up to 30 inches; trunk long when
in close stands with other trees; crown spreading or round.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, ovate, narrowed to sharp points, rounded
oblique base, coarsely serrate, rough above, with prominent veins,
light yellow-green. The leaves are soft hairy beneath and pilose above
when young.
=Flowers=.—May, with the leaves; monoecious, or with some perfect
flowers; the staminate on drooping pedicels at base of season’s growth;
the pistillate, few-flowered in axils of the upper leaves, greenish and
small.
=Fruit=.—Ripens in September, a berry-like drupe, ¼ to ½ inch thick,
dark purple, sweet and edible, on slender pedicels, often remaining on
the tree during the winter.
=Bark=.—Usually rough with warty projections, light gray.
=Wood=.—Heavy, soft, coarse-grained, yellowish, resembling ash, with
light-colored sapwood.
=Range=.—Most of the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common in the eastern Panhandle and
scattered throughout the State; rare or not occurring in the counties
along the Alleghanies and in those adjacent on the west.
=Habitat=.—Grows best on moist, rich land, but is found in a variety
of soils.
=Notes=.—Sugar Berry and Hoop Ash are two common local names of this
species. In some places along the Ohio River the tree grows to a fairly
large size with a long clear trunk; in the eastern part of the State it
is usually small and scrubby. The tree is most easily distinguished by
its peculiar warty bark and by the witches’ brooms which are usually
present. The wood is often sold as Ash and is used for cheap furniture,
cooperage, crates, boxes, agricultural implements, etc. The very small
shrubby trees found in the Eastern part of the State should probably be
classed as Variety _pumila_, Muhl.
[Illustration: RED MULBERRY]
RED MULBERRY
=Morus rubra=, L.
=Form=.—Height 15-25 feet, diameter 10-20 inches; trunk usually
straight, short, bearing a rounded crown.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, 3-6 inches long, nearly orbicular in
outline, or with 3-5 lobes, coarsely serrate, dark green and usually
slightly rough above, paler and hairy beneath.
=Flowers=.—May-June; monoecious or dioecious; the staminate in dense
spikes 1-2 inches long; the pistillate arranged in the same way but in
shorter spikes.
=Fruit=.—July-August; very small drupes aggregate in a dense cylindric
cluster about 1 inch long, blackish when ripe, sweet, juicy and edible.
=Bark=.—On trunks, brownish-gray, roughened by narrow ridges.
=Wood=.—Light, soft, tough, coarse-grained, very durable, light orange
color.
=Range=.—Massachusetts to Florida, west to Kansas and Nebraska.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Found in scattered growth throughout
the State.
=Habitat=.—Grows best in rich bottoms, but is found scattered with
other hardwoods in various locations.
=Notes=.—The Mulberry is easily distinguished in summer by its
irregular leaf forms and peculiar fruits. It is not important as a
lumber tree, though the wood is attractive and durable.
[Illustration: CUCUMBER TREE]
CUCUMBER TREE
=Magnolia acuminata=, L.
=Form=.—Height 50-90 feet, diameter 2-4 feet; trunk long, clear,
straight; crown usually pyramidal with spreading lower branches.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, ovate, 4-12 inches long, apex pointed,
entire, thin, smooth above, pale and downy beneath.
=Flowers=.—April-June; perfect, upright, solitary, bell-shaped,
greenish-yellow, about 3 inches long.
=Fruit=.—Matures in autumn; fleshy, cucumber-shaped, about 2½ inches
long, composed of 1-2-seeded carpels; seeds scarlet, drupe-like,
attached by slender extensile threads.
=Bark=.—Grayish-brown, furrowed, with loose scales.
=Wood=.—Light, soft, close-grained, durable, yellowish, resembling
Yellow Poplar, and used for interior finish and other purposes in
buildings.
=Range=.—New York to Georgia, west to Kansas.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—With other hardwoods throughout the
State. Most plentiful in the mountainous and high hilly sections.
=Habitat=.—Prefers rich soils of bottoms and hillsides.
=Notes=.—The Cucumber is valuable as a forest and shade tree and
should be propagated for these purposes. It can be distinguished
from the other West Virginia magnolias by its smaller leaves, its
greenish-yellow flowers, and its usually larger size.
[Illustration: UMBRELLA TREE]
UMBRELLA TREE
=Magnolia tripetala=, L.
=Form=.—Height 25-50 feet, diameter 10-15 inches; trunk straight, with
spreading branches which form a broad, round-topped crown.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, arranged near the ends of the branches in an
umbrella-like circle, simple, obovate-lanceolate, pointed at both ends,
12-24 inches long, with short stout petioles, entire, smooth on both
sides when old.
=Flowers=.—Appear in May; perfect, solitary, erect, surrounded by a
whorl of leaves, petals creamy white, 4-5 inches long, slightly scented.
=Fruit=.—Matures in autumn; cylindric or oblong, cone-like, 2-4 inches
long, fleshy, composed of numerous rose-colored follicles which split
on the back at maturity and liberate small flat, red seeds.
=Bark=.—Smooth, light gray, sometimes roughened by scattered irregular
projections.
=Wood=.—Light, soft, close-grained, not strong, light brown, with
white sapwood.
=Range=.—Southern Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to northern
Mississippi and Arkansas.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Found on swamp borders or along
streams in the following counties: Boone, Braxton, Fayette, Kanawha,
Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Randolph, Raleigh, Upshur, Webster,
Wyoming.
=Habitat=.—Prefers rich soil of streams and swamps.
=Notes=.—The Umbrella Magnolia is chiefly valuable as an ornamental
tree. It is especially attractive in autumn when the bright,
rose-colored fruits are mature.
[Illustration: MOUNTAIN MAGNOLIA]
MOUNTAIN MAGNOLIA
=Magnolia Fraseri=, Walt.
=Form=.—Height, 30-50 feet, diameter 12-18 inches; trunk straight or
inclining, undivided for half its length, or separating near the ground
into several stems.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, oblong-obovate or spatulate, eared at the
base, bluntly pointed at the apex, glabrous 10-24 inches long, often
crowded in whorls.
=Flowers=.—May; perfect, solitary, 8-10 inches in diameter, creamy
white, sweet-scented.
=Fruit=.—Matures in early autumn; an oblong cone-like aggregate of
fleshy, rose-colored follicles, with sharp-pointed tips; seeds obovoid,
compressed, ⅝ inch long.
=Bark=.—Smooth, or on old trunks roughened by irregular excrescences
or scales, dark brown.
=Wood=.—Light, soft, not strong, close-grained, brown with light
sapwood.
=Range=.—West Virginia to northern Georgia and Alabama, west to
northern Mississippi and eastern Tennessee.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Infrequent, found scattered through
the mountainous parts of Clay, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur
and Webster counties; growing at 3,500 feet elevation on the head of
Cherry River.
=Habitat=.—Borders of streams and rich mountain-sides.
=Notes=.—Like the Umbrella Tree this species is of little value for
forestry purposes, but is highly ornamental. Its chief distinguishing
mark in summer is the leaf base which is prominently eared.
[Illustration: TULIP TREE]
TULIP TREE
=Liriodendron tulipifera=, L.
=Form=.—Height 80-150 feet; diameter 3-10 feet; trunk long, clear and
straight; crown open, conical, of slender branches.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, 5-6 inches long, and about as broad,
usually with four lobes, two at the truncate apex and one on each side,
smooth, bright green above, paler beneath; petioles angled, slender,
5-6 inches long.
=Flowers=.—May-June; solitary, terminal, perfect, tulip-shaped 1½-2
inches long, greenish yellow with orange spots; petals 6, in two rows;
sepals greenish, early falling.
=Fruit=.—Matures in early autumn; oblong, cone-like, composed of
numerous brown flat pointed carpels, each bearing a 1-2-seeded nutlet
at its base.
=Bark=.—Rough on old trunks, with prominent parallel connected ridges,
and deep fissures, light grayish-brown.
=Wood=.—Light, soft, not strong, easily worked, light yellow with
creamy white sapwood.
=Range=.—Rhode Island and Michigan, south to Florida and Arkansas, not
of commercial size at the extremes of its range.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Found throughout the State below the
Spruce belt, rare on the Potomac waters.
=Habitat=.—Prefers rich, moist soil of stream valleys and coves, but
adapts itself to less favorable situations.
=Notes=.—This tree, commonly known as Yellow Poplar, is of first
importance for forestry purposes; it reproduces readily from the seed,
is a rapid grower, and its wood is easily worked and desirable for many
purposes.
[Illustration: COMMON PAWPAW]
COMMON PAWPAW
=Asimina triloba=, Dual.
=Form=.—Height 10-50 feet, diameter 8-12 inches; trunk usually
straight and slender, bearing a broad or restricted crown of straight
branches.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, thin, obovate-lanceolate, pointed, 4-12
inches long, margin entire, smooth except when young, dark green above,
paler beneath.
=Flowers=.—April-May, with the leaves; scattered along the twigs,
perfect, 1-1½ inches wide, dark reddish purple, borne on stout hairy
stalks.
=Fruit=.—Matures in early autumn; short, cylindric, resembling a
banana, 3-5 inches long, with a thin, greenish-yellow skin, enclosing a
yellow pulpy edible mass through which is scattered several brown shiny
seeds.
=Bark=.—Rather smooth, brown, often blotched, thin and close.
=Wood=.—Light, soft, coarse-grained, brown with yellowish sapwood.
=Range=.—Western New York and central New Jersey, south to Florida and
west to Texas, Kansas and Michigan.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Scattered groups throughout the
State, except in the Spruce belt, and in the higher adjacent sections.
Common along the Ohio and Potomac river valleys.
=Habitat=.—Prefers moist soils along streams, but grows well on loamy
slopes.
=Notes=.—The Pawpaw or Custard Apple is not important as a forest tree
but is interesting and attractive on account of its peculiar fruits.
It is very tolerant of shade and is suitable for underplanting where
production of wood is not the object.
[Illustration: SASSAFRAS]
SASSAFRAS
=Sassafras variifolium=, (Salis.) Kuntze.
=Form=.—Height 40-50 feet, diameter 1-3 feet; trunk usually short,
stout, and bearing an open crown of contorted branches.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, ovate in outline, entire, or 2-5 lobed,
4-6 inches long, smooth, dark green above, paler beneath.
=Flowers=.—May, with the leaves; dioecious; both sexes about ½ inch
long, greenish yellow, in few-flowered, drooping racemes.
=Fruit=.—Matures in early autumn; a dark blue, berry-like drupe,
one-third inch long, borne on a bright red thickened stalk with
persistent calyx.
=Bark=.—Rough, with shallow fissures and flat-topped connected ridges,
light brown.
=Wood=.—Soft, weak, brittle, durable in the soil, aromatic, dull
orange-brown with thin lighter sapwood.
=Range=.—Massachusetts to Florida, and west to Texas, Kansas and
Michigan.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—A common tree distributed throughout
the State except at high elevations.
=Habitat=.—Prefers sandy loam. Common in thin soil of worn out fields
and along fence rows.
=Notes=.—This species is commonly considered a weed among trees. The
wood is very durable when in contact with the ground but is not often
used. The fruits are eagerly eaten by birds and the aromatic bark is
used for flavoring candy and medicine.
[Illustration: WITCH HAZEL]
WITCH HAZEL
=Hamamelis virginiana=, L.
=Form=.—Height 15-25 feet, diameter 4-10 inches; trunk short, often
inclined, bearing an irregular crown.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, oval, 4-6 inches long, rounded at the
apex, wavy-toothed, somewhat downy when young.
=Flowers=.—October and November; perfect; with 4 slender, strap-shaped
yellow petals, clustered at the leaf axils.
=Fruit=.—Ripens in autumn from flowers of the previous year; a
two-celled, woody, nut-like pod, ½ inch long, containing black shining
seeds which are propelled a distance of several feet when the pods
burst open.
=Bark=.—Smooth or scaly, thin, light brown and blotched.
=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, close-grained, light brown.
=Range=.—Ontario to Florida, west to Texas and Minnesota.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Found throughout the State.
=Habitat=.—Prefers moist rocky soils but thrives in a variety of
situations.
=Notes=.—This small abundant tree is interesting in that it blossoms
in the fall at the same time its fruit is maturing. It is not important
for forestry uses, and is seldom planted for any purpose.
[Illustration: SWEET GUM]
SWEET GUM
=Liquidambar styraciflua=, L.
=Form=.—Height 50-100 feet, diameter, 2-4 feet; trunk usually tall and
straight with narrow crown, except when grown in the open.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, 3-5 inches long, irregularly star-shaped,
with five unequal pointed lobes, broader than long, margins of lobes
serrate, bright shining green above, paler beneath, petioles long and
round.
=Flowers=.—April-May; usually monoecious; the staminate green, borne
in terminal racemes; the pistillate in heads on long axillary stalks.
=Fruit=.—A long-stalked spherical head, 1-1½ inches in diameter,
composed of numerous capsules, covered with curved, blunt, spine-like
appendages.
=Bark=.—On old trunks gray with deep furrows and scaly ridges. Corky
bark is often present on limbs and twigs.
=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, strong, close-grained, reddish-brown with whitish
sapwood.
=Range=.—Southern Connecticut to Florida, west to Missouri and Texas.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Found locally along the Great
Kanawha, New, Gauley, Elk, Tug Fork, and for short distances up several
of the tributaries of these rivers.
=Habitat=.—Prefers deep rich soils along streams.
=Notes=.—Sweet Gum cannot be classed as a valuable forest tree in
West Virginia, though in other states its wood is extensively used for
boxes, interior finish, etc. It is very desirable for planting in parks
or on lawns and is especially attractive when the leaves change color
in the fall.
[Illustration: SYCAMORE]
SYCAMORE
=Platanus occidentalis=, L.
=Form=.—Height 100-150 feet, diameter 4-10 feet; trunk massive,
usually short, often inclined; crown open, irregular, of large limbs
and irregular branches.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, broadly oval, 4-10 inches long,
3-5-sinuate lobed, the short lobes sharp-pointed, bright green above,
pale and somewhat pubescent or woolly beneath.
=Flowers=.—May; monoecious; the staminate dark red on short axillary
stalks, the pistillate greenish on long, slender terminal stalks.
=Fruit=.—October, persisting through the winter, in brown heads about
1 inch in diameter and suspended on long slender stalks. The chaffy
achenes which compose the head are about ¾ of an inch long.
=Bark=.—Covered with broad curling scales which are shed off exposing
the smooth greenish-white surface beneath.
=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, difficult to split, reddish-brown with light
sapwood.
=Range=.—Maine to Florida, west to Texas and Minnesota.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common throughout the State along
streams below 3,000 feet elevation.
=Habitat=.—Moist soil of stream borders.
=Notes=.—The wood of Sycamore is considered valuable for interior
finish, furniture, crates and tobacco boxes. Its growth should be
encouraged whenever possible both as a forest and shade tree.
[Illustration: AMERICAN CRAB APPLE]
AMERICAN CRAB APPLE
=Pyrus coronaria=, L.
=Form=.—Height 15-25 feet, diameter 10-14 inches; trunk short and
usually armed with many stubby, thorn-like branches; crown narrow when
in a thicket but broad and flat-topped in the open.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, ovate, or elliptic, 3-4 inches long;
sharp-pointed apex, rounded base, serrate, smooth, dark green above,
paler beneath.
=Flowers=.—May, with the nearly full-grown leaves; perfect,
rosy-white, 1½-2 inches across, arranged in umbel-like cymes; very
fragrant.
=Fruit=.—Matures in autumn; a depressed globose pome, 1-1½ inches in
diameter, yellowish green, fragrant, flesh firm and bitter.
=Bark=.—Roughened with flat, scaly ridges; brownish-gray or reddish.
=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, light reddish brown.
=Range=.—Southern Canada to Alabama, west to Louisiana, Missouri and
Michigan.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common in most sections. Rare in
Boone, Logan, Mingo and other southwestern counties. Abundant in the
hilly regions of the central and northern parts of the State.
=Habitat=.—Prefers a moist soil and is usually found in thickets in
open woods and neglected fields.
=Notes=.—The Crab Apple is best known on account of its fragrant
blossoms. The wood is sometimes used for tool handles, turned articles,
and engravings.
[Illustration: MOUNTAIN ASH]
MOUNTAIN ASH
=Pyrus americana= (Marsh.) D. C.
=Form=.—Height 20-30 feet, diameter 8-12 inches; trunk short,
supporting a round-topped crown.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, compound, 6-9 inches long; leaflets 9-17, 2-3
inches long, nearly sessile, except the terminal one, lanceolate,
taper-pointed, sharply serrate above the entire base; glabrous, dark
green above, paler beneath.
=Flowers=.—Appear in May; perfect, in flat cymes 3-4 inches across,
white.
=Fruit=.—Matures in autumn, persistent on the tree through the winter;
a round berry-like pome, ¼ inch in diameter, bright red, acid, in large
flat-topped clusters.
=Bark=.—Smooth or slightly roughened, light gray.
=Wood=.—Light, close-grained, soft, weak, light brown with lighter
sapwood.
=Range=.—Newfoundland west to Manitoba and Iowa, south along the
mountains to North Carolina.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Confined to high swamps and
mountains. Observed in the following counties: Pendleton, Pocahontas,
Preston, Randolph and Tucker.
=Habitat=.—Moist soil of swamps and rocky slopes.
=Notes=.—This tree has no commercial value, being rare and of small
size. Its form, foliage, flowers and bright persistent fruits make it a
desirable tree for ornamental planting.
[Illustration: SHAD BUSH]
SHAD BUSH
=Amelanchier canadensis=, (L.) Medic.
=Form=.—Height 10-40 feet, diameter 4-16 inches; trunk short; crown
shallow and usually narrow, with numerous slender branches.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, 3-4 inches long, ovate to ovate-oblong,
finely serrate, smooth when old, dark green above, paler beneath.
=Flowers=.—April; perfect, white, borne in drooping racemes.
=Fruit=.—June-August; a berry-like, globular pome, one-third-½ inch
long, borne in racemes, red to purple, sweet and edible.
=Bark=.—Smooth, or somewhat rough, with narrow scaly ridges on old
trees.
=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, strong, close-grained, warps and checks easily,
dark reddish-brown with thick whitish sapwood.
=Range=.—Newfoundland and Ontario, south to Florida and west to
Louisiana and Kansas.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common in nearly all parts of the
State.
=Habitat=.—Dry, light soils of upland woods and hillsides. Grows in a
variety of soils and exposures.
=Notes=.—Service tree and Juneberry are two other names of this tree.
The wood is rarely used for any purpose.
At least two shrubby species of Amelanchier are native to West
Virginia.
[Illustration: COCKSPUR THORN]
COCKSPUR THORN
=Crataegus crus-galli=, L.
=Form=.—Height 10-25 feet, diameter 6-12 inches; trunk short; crown
broad and flat-topped.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, ovate-obovate, 1-3 inches long, sharply
serrate except toward the base, long tapering at the base, rounded or
blunt-pointed at the apex, thick, dark green and glossy above, paler
beneath.
=Flowers=.—June; perfect; white, two-thirds of an inch across,
arranged in many-flowered corymbs; stamens 10; styles 1-3.
=Fruit=.—Matures in autumn; an ovoid or sub-globose pome two-fifths-½
inch long, greenish to dull red, containing usually 2 boxy nutlets
which are 2-3-grooved on the back.
=Bark=.—Grayish brown, roughened on old trees by small scales.
=Wood=.—Hard, heavy, close-grained, reddish brown with thick
light-colored sapwood.
=Range=.—Southern Canada to northern Georgia, west to Missouri and
Michigan.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—A common thorn throughout the State.
=Habitat=.—Borders of woods and abandoned fields on many kinds of
soils.
=Notes=.—As indicated by the name, this species is armed with long,
curved thorns. The taper-based, serrate, glossy leaves and the dull
red-green fruits will help the student in identifying this common tree.
[Illustration: DOTTED THORN]
DOTTED THORN
=Crataegus punctata=, Jacq.
=Form=.—Height 10-35 feet, diameter 8-14 inches; trunk thick and
short; crown very broad and flat-topped.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, oblanceolate-obovate, 1½-3 inches long,
tapering at the base, rounded or blunt-pointed at apex, irregularly
serrate or sometimes lobed, dull grayish-green and strongly
impressed-veined above.
=Flowers=.—May-June; perfect; white, about ¾ of an inch across, in
corymbs with tomentose stalks; stamens usually about 20.
=Fruit=.—Ripens in autumn; an ovoid pome, ½-1 inch thick, red (var.
_rubra_, Ait.) or yellow, (var. _aurea_, Ait.) nutlets usually 3-4 with
2-5 ridges on the back.
=Bark=.—Gray, with thin scales on old trunks.
=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, close-grained.
=Range=.—Minnesota and western New England, southward along the
mountains to Georgia.
=Distribution in West Virginia=.—A common tree, especially at high
elevations. Found growing on Spruce Knob, Pendleton County, at altitude
4,860 feet. Forming almost pure stands on Bickle Knob, Randolph County,
near Durbin, Pocahontas County, in Canaan Valley, Tucker County, and at
many places along the Alleghanies.
=Habitat=.—Prefers rich sandy soil of stream borders and mountain
flats.
=Notes=.—The large red or yellow fruits of this thorn help in the
identification of the species and give it a very attractive appearance
in the fall. The fruits are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse and other birds,
and are sometimes used for making jelly. The spines are straight and
from 1½ to 2¾ inches long.
[Illustration: BLACK CHERRY]
BLACK CHERRY
=Prunus serotina=, Ehrh.
=Form=.—Height 60-100 feet, diameter 2-5 feet; trunk when in close
stands tall and straight, bearing a rather open irregularly-oblong
crown.
=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, lanceolate-oblong, taper-pointed, 2-5
inches long, thickish, serrate-crenate, with incurved teeth, smooth,
dark green above, paler beneath.
=Flowers=.—May-June; perfect; ¼ inch wide, white arranged in drooping
many-flowered racemes.
=Fruit=.—Matures in late summer and persists for two or three months;
a nearly black drupe, in drooping clusters, one-third-½ inch thick,
with purplish juicy slightly bitter edible flesh.
=Bark=.—On old trunks roughened by thick, blackish, irregular plates;
inner bark aromatic, bitter.
=Wood=.—Light, strong, close-grained, light reddish brown, with thin
yellowish sapwood.