_INTRODUCTION_
The present edition has been entirely rewritten. While the general plan
of the first edition has been followed, some changes have been made.
The number of trees included has been wholly arbitrary. All woody plants
of the State which generally attain a maximum diameter of 10 cm. (4
inches) at breast high are regarded as tree forms. _Alnus rugosa_ which
so closely resembles _Alnus incana_, is an exception, and a description
of it is given to aid in the identification of our tree form of _Alnus_.
Also several species of Cratægus are included which commonly do not
attain tree size. The species of all Cratægus begin to flower and fruit
many years before they attain their maximum size. The genus is much in
need of study, and the smaller forms are included to stimulate a study
of the genus, and in order that the larger forms may be more easily and
certainly identified.
The number of introduced trees has been limited to those that more or
less freely escape at least in some parts of the State. The one
exception is _Catalpa bignonioides_, which is given to help separate it
from our native catalpa, both of which are now commonly planted.
=Botanic Description.=--The botanic descriptions have been made from
specimens collected in Indiana. In most instances the material has been
quite ample, and collected from all parts of the State. Technical terms
have been avoided, and only when precision and accuracy were necessary
have a few been used which can be found in any school dictionary. The
length of the description varies in proportion to the importance and
interest of the species and the number of characters necessary to
separate it from other forms. The characters used are those which are
the most conspicuous, and are generally with the specimen at hand. In
most instances mature leaves are at hand, and these are most fully
described. When leaves are discussed, only mature and normal leaves are
considered. The descriptions are not drawn to include the leaf forms,
and sizes of coppice shoots or seedlings. Measurements of simple leaves
do not include the petiole unless mentioned.
When the term twig is used, it means the growth of the year. Branchlets
and branches mean all growth except the present year. By seasons are
meant the calendar seasons.
The size of trees is designated as small, medium and large. These terms
are defined as follows: Small trees are those that attain a diameter of
2 dm.; medium-sized trees are those whose maximum diameter is between 2
dm. and 6 dm.; large-sized trees are those which are commonly more than
6 dm. in diameter. Diameter measurements are at 14 dm. (4-1/2) feet
above the ground, or breast high.
The common names given are those most generally used in our area. Where
common names are rarely applied to our forms, the common commercial or
botanical common name is given. In some instances where a tree is known
by several names, one or more of which are often applied to a related
species, the liberty has been taken to select a common name which should
be restricted to the one species.
Botanical names are usually pronounced according to the English method
of pronouncing Latin. The accented syllables have been marked as
follows: the grave (\) accent to indicate the long English sound of the
vowel and the acute (/) accent to show the short or otherwise modified
sound.
Measurements have been given in the metric system, and in some instances
the English equivalent has also been given.
The nomenclature attempted is that of the International Code. The
sequence of families is that of Gray's Manual, 7th Edition.
=Distribution.=--The general distribution of the species is first given,
which is followed by the distribution in Indiana. The general
distribution has been obtained by freely consulting all the local floras
and general works on botany. The Indiana distribution has been obtained
for the greater part from specimens represented in the writer's
herbarium and from notes in doing field work during the past 24 years.
Since the first edition of the "Trees of Indiana" was published the
writer has traveled over 27,000 miles in Indiana, via auto, making a
special study of the flora of the State, and has visited every county
and has traversed practically every township in the State. In discussing
numbers in distribution it was decided to use terms already in common
use, but to assign a definite meaning to each as follows: Very common
means more than 25 trees to the acre; common, 5-25 trees to the acre;
frequent 1-5 trees to the acre; infrequent, 1 tree to 2-10 acres; rare,
1 tree to every 11-100 acres; very rare, 1 tree to more than 100 acres;
local when the distribution is circumscribed or in spots.
Where a species has the limit of its range in our area, its distribution
is sometimes given at length for scientific reasons. It should be
remembered that some of the older records of distribution were made by
geologists or inexperienced botanists, and when such records are
questioned it is done with a spirit of scientific accuracy. Some of our
early authors did not distinguish between cultivated and native trees,
which involves the distribution of certain species.
The habitat of many species is discussed; which suggests forestal,
horticultural and ornamental possibilities. Then too, the habitat of a
tree, helps to identify it. When associated trees are given, those are
enumerated which are characteristic of the species throughout its range
in our area and they are arranged in the order of their abundance.
A county map of the State is included which will assist in finding the
range of each species. A forestal area map is also added to visualize
certain habitats of the State.
The range and distribution of the species in the State has been given
considerable attention to encourage investigation along this line.
=Remarks.=--Under this title the economic uses of the trees and their
products have been given. In addition horticultural and unclassified
information is included.
=Illustrations.=--All of the illustrations except two are photographic
reproductions of specimens in the writer's herbarium. The two drawings
were used in the first edition.
About 20 of the photographs were made by Paul Ulman, and the remainder
by Harry F. Dietz, who has laboriously tried to obtain good
reproductions from the material at hand.
=Explanation of Map of Certain Forestal Areas.=--In describing the
distribution of certain species of trees within the State, it was found
convenient to speak of certain forestal areas which are here described,
and are illustrated by a map which may be found at the end of the text.
_Lake Region_:--The southernmost lakes in Indiana are those located in
the southwestern part of Wells County; Lake Galacia about five miles
northeast of Fairmount in Grant County; Lake Cicott in Cass County; and
Kate's Pond about 1-1/2 miles northwest of Independence in Warren
County. Roughly estimated, all of Indiana north of a line connecting
these lakes might be considered the lake area of the State. _Prairie
Area_:--While the interior of Indiana has quite a few small areas called
prairies, the real western prairie did not extend far into the State.
The dividing line is very irregular, and several elongated lobes
extended farther east than indicated by the map. The larger areas east
of the line were the extensive prairie area of the Kankakee Valley; the
northern part of Pulaski County; and parts of White and Tippecanoe
Counties. _"Knob" Area_:--This is the hilliest part of the State and is
located in the southcentral part. It is contained in the unglaciated
portion of the State, and includes the "knobs" of the Knobstone, Chester
and Mansfield sandstone areas of Indiana. In this area are included the
scrub pine and chestnut oak, with one exception; sorrel tree and the
chestnut, with two possible exceptions. _The Flats_:--This is a level
stretch of country, here and there deeply eroded. Being level, and the
soil a fine compact clay, the drainage is poor which suggested the local
name "flats." _The Lower Wabash Valley_:--This is part of Knox, Gibson
and Posey Counties which is usually inundated each year by the Wabash
River.
=Acknowledgments.=--The character and qualities of the wood have for the
greater part been taken from the works of Britton and Brown, Hough, and
Sargent, to whom indebtedness is acknowledged.
The _Salicaceæ_, except the genus _Populus_ was written by C. R. Ball,
of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. The _Malaceæ_ was
contributed by W. W. Eggleston, also of the Bureau of Plant Industry,
Washington, D. C. These authors were asked to make their part conform to
the general plan of the book. Mr. Ball and Mr. Eggleston are recognized
authorities on the respective parts they have written and users of this
book will appreciate the value of having these difficult parts written
by our best authorities. The author wishes to gratefully acknowledge
this great favor.
The most grateful acknowledgement is given to Prof. Stanley Coulter,
Dean, School Science, Purdue University, who has read all of the
manuscript and made valuable suggestions, corrections and criticisms.
I wish to acknowledge the assistance of Stella M. Deam, my wife, in
field and clerical work.
I wish to thank the Department of Conservation for the opportunity of
doing this work.
Key to the Families.