Senate Document 84 Message from the President of the United States Transmitting A Report of the Secretary of Agriculture in Relation to the Forests, Rivers, and Mountains of the Southern Appalachian Region

The following is a list of the trees growing in the Southern Appalachians, with notes concerning their distribution, size, uses, and reproduction. Accompanying this is a list of shrubs indigenous to that region.

White Pine (Pinus strobus) reaches a height of 160 feet and a diameter of 40 inches and forms nearly pure groves, or is associated with smaller hard woods. It prefers sandy or gravelly soils on northwest slopes lying between 1,700 and 4,000 feet elevation. It is the most important timber tree in the Eastern States, for its wood is light, strong, and durable, and is applied to nearly all uses. It makes rapid growth and reproduces freely. It is most abundant, attains its maximum size, and makes most rapid accretion on the western slopes of the Smoky and Iron mountains, especially in Shady Valley.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) in the Appalachians reaches a height of 80 feet and a diameter of 30 inches, and is found only in the southernmost part of the area, below an elevation of 1,200 feet. It occurs chiefly as a second growth in old fields, and is of great value in restocking them and preventing erosion. Nearer the coast it is a timber tree of the first importance.

Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata), reaching a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 36 inches, is frequent on well-drained soil below 2,000 feet elevation, becoming more common as the altitude decreases. The wood is yellow, strong, and very durable, and takes a fine finish. It seeds freely and reproduces abundantly under full light, often restocking old fields and waste places. It is one of the most valuable of the yellow pines, and forms the chief building material over much of this region.

Black Pine (Pinus rigida) reaches a height of 90 feet and a diameter of 28 inches. It is associated with the shortleaf pine, but it is the more abundant at higher elevations. Like that tree, it seeds freely and often, and restocks waste lands. It is not so large nor so valuable a tree, however, and the wood is coarser, more resinous, and not so free from knots. It is much used as a building material.

Table-Mountain Pine (Pinus pungens) is a medium-sized tree, which reaches a height of 70 feet and a diameter of 24 inches. It occurs on dry, rocky ridges between 1,500 and 3,000 feet elevation, and is most common along the Blue Ridge and on the Chilhowee and Holston mountains. It reaches its greatest size in the mountains of western North Carolina. It is not so large nor so valuable a tree as the shortleaf and black pines. Its wood is coarse and sappy. It will grow. however, on dry, rocky soil where the black pine does not. It seeds freely and makes rapid growth, at least when young.

Scrub Pine (Pinus virginiana) is a slender tree, seldom more than 80 feet in height and 18 inches in diameter, which is common on dry, sandy, or gravelly land below 2,000 feet elevation. It propagates freely and makes rapid growth. It is not large enough to be of importance as a timber tree, though it is occasionally sawn.

Black Spruce (Picea mariana) is a slender tree reaching a height of 150 feet and a diameter of 30 inches. It is seldom found below 4,000 feet elevation, and only around a few of the highest mountains, where it forms dense forests of pure growth, or is associated with hemlock on cold northern slopes or along cold streams. It seeds at intervals of several years and reproduces freely if afforded the proper light and soil conditions, which are generally not produced in lumbering. The wood is light, but strong, and is largely used for lumber. It is the chief source of wood pulp for paper. It is one of the most valuable trees, and reaches its greatest individual development on the slopes of the Smoky Mountains.

Red Spruce (Picea rubra) is here a small tree, seldom 30 feet in height, and unimportant. It occurs only in a few mountain swamps.

Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is one of the largest of east American trees, attaining a height of more than 140 feet and a diameter of 5 feet, which is reached in the Southern Appalachians. It is common along streams and on cold, wet northern slopes above 1,500 feet elevation. The bark is extensively used in tanning, and the trunk supplies much rough lumber. Seeds are borne frequently, but reproduction is poor, as good reproduction requires a delicate adjustment of light and moisture conditions, which are seldom furnished in lumbering.

Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) is a smaller tree than the preceding, and its distribution is limited to a few localities in the Southern Appalachians. The greatest size is attained in the mountains of North Carolina. It is one of the most stately of American conifers.

Balsam (Abies fraseri) attains a height of 60 feet and a diameter of 2 feet. It is exclusively a Southern Appalachian tree, being confined to the summits of the highest mountains from Clingmans Dome northeastward. The maximum development is attained on the high peaks of the Black Mountains. The wood is soft and brittle and of little value. A medicinal resin balsam is obtained from its bark.

Arbor vitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a small tree which occurs in the Southern Appalachians at only a few places, as on Cripple Creek and Linville River, on moist soil.

Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a small tree, seldom more than 50 feet in height, which is frequent below 1,500 feet elevation in old fields and along roadsides, especially on limestone soil at the foot of the western slope of the Smoky Mountains. The wood is soft, but durable and valuable. It reproduces freely, but the rate of growth is slow.

Butternut (Juglans cinerea) is a short-stemmed tree reaching a height of 70-feet and a diameter of 24 inches. It is frequent on rocky soil along streams between 1,500 and 4,000 feet elevation. It yields a valuable light-brown cabinet wood. Seed is borne at frequent and regular intervals, and reproduction is good.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) reaches a height of 110 feet and a diameter of 40 inches, attaining its greatest size in the deep hollows of the mountains of North Carolina, where it occurs mixed with oaks and chestnut. The larger and most valuable trees have generally been removed. It seeds regularly and reproduces freely. The black, fine-grained wood takes a good polish, and is largely used in Europe for furniture.

Bitternut (Hicoria minima) is one of the largest and most valuable of the hickories, often attaining a height of 110 feet and a diameter of 30 inches. It is frequent on lower moist slopes and along streams. Seed is borne in abundance at frequent intervals, and reproduction is good. The rate of growth is rapid. The wood is hard, heavy, and tough, and is much used for the handles of tools and in wagon manufacture.

Shagbark (Hicoria ovata) is frequent along streams and on moist, rich slopes, where it attains a large size. It reproduces freely by seed, and small trees sprout from the stump. The tough, elastic wood is regarded as being second in quality among all the hickories. The large, edible nuts are extensively gathered and sold.

Carolina Shagbark (Hicoria carolinæ-septentrionalis) is a smaller tree than the preceding, but its wood is of the same quality, and is used for the same purposes. It occurs on sandy soil at the southwestern end of the Appalachians, below 1,200 feet elevation.

Shellbark Hickory (Hicoria laciniosa) is a large and valuable tree which is found at only a very few places. It grows on alluvial lands at a low elevation.

White Hickory (Hicoria alba) is the most common hickory. It is frequent on rich, warm soil at a low elevation, where it becomes a large tree, sometimes 110 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. The hard, tough wood is preferred to that of the other species for mechanical uses. It seeds and reproduces freely, and young trees are common in culled woods at low altitudes. This and the other species are largely used for fuel.

Red-heart Hickory (Hicoria odorata) becomes 120 feet in height and 30 inches in diameter, and is one of the most common species. In the Southern Appalachians it is second in value and importance only to the White Hickory. It prefers rich, warm soil at low elevations. Seed are borne often and in abundance, and reproduction is good.

Pignut (Ricoria glabra) is a slender tree, exceptionally 100 feet in height, generally growing on dry soil, but is not common. The timber is inferior to that of the red-heart hickory.

Hairy Pignut (Hicoria glabra hirsuta) is like the preceding in size and in the character of its timber, but is not so common.

Sand Hickory (Hicoria villosa) is a small, uncommon tree, yielding a wood similar to that of the pignut. It grows on sandy soil along streams and on dry ridges at low elevations.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) is a small tree reaching a height of 50 feet, and is common along streams below 3,000 feet elevation. The wood is not used, but the tree is important, as its tough roots serve to protect from erosion the banks of the streams along which the trees grow.

Silky Willow (Salix sericea) is a small tree 20 to 30 feet in height, with straight stems, which is common along streams and in wet meadows below 4,000 feet in altitude. It is to small to furnish useful wood, but as a protection against the erosion of the banks of small streams it is of more importance than the preceding. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely.

Largetooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata) is a slender tree reaching a height of 50 feet. It is not common and the wood is not used.

Balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifera candicans) has been extensively planted along streams, where it makes an excellent soil binder and protects the banks against washing. It is also useful in building up low areas along streams which are subject to flooding, as the deposit of earth around its stems during freshets does not injure the health of the tree. The collection and sale of the large resinous buds, which are used medicinally, is an industry of some importance. It is a tree of rapid growth, and soon reaches a height of 50 feet. The wood is light, soft, and not durable.

River Birch (Betula nigra) reaches a height of 70 feet and a diameter of 30 inches, and occurs only along the banks of the larger streams. Seeds are borne abundantly and reproduction is good. The wood is coarse and hard. It is chiefly valuable in protecting the banks of streams.

Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) is found along cold mountain streams on northern slopes, where it reaches a height of 90 feet and a diameter of 3 feet. The timber is used to some extent in the manufacture of furniture. Birch oil is obtained by distillation from the bark. It seeds often and reproduces freely.

Yellow Birch (Betula lutea) reaches a height of 80 feet and a diameter of 36 inches, and is common in cold ravines and on northern slopes, especially at high elevations. Many of the trees are curly and yield a valuable cabinet wood. It seeds freely and reproduces well on moist land among laurel brush.

Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) reaches a height of 40 feet and a diameter of 12 inches, and is common along streams. The wood is very hard and firm.

Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) is a small tree, seldom more than 30 feet in height and 10 inches in diameter. It occurs sparingly on moist-soiled, shady slopes. The wood is very hard and tough.

Beech (Fagus americana) reaches a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 30 inches. It is common on moist lands along streams and in hollows, where it attains its greatest size, and on cold slopes at high elevations, where it forms dense groves of small trees. It seeds frequently and reproduces freely. The wood is hard, tough, and fine grained.

Chestnut (Castanea dentata) is a large tree, which attains a height of 120 feet and a diameter 7 feet. It is common on nearly all soils above 2,000 feet elevation, but decreases in abundance below that, reaching its greatest development in deep hollows at about 3,000 feet elevation. The wood is rather soft, but valuable and durable, is extensively used locally for building and fencing, and is largely sawn for shipment. The collection of the nuts forms an important industry. It regenerates well from stool shoots and from seeds, which are borne regularly and in abundance. The rate of growth is very rapid, being greater than that of any other hard wood of the region.

Chinquapin (Castanea pumila) is a small tree, seldom more than 40 feet in height and 24 inches in diameter. It is frequent on dry soil below 3,000 feet elevation. The wood is similar to that of the chestnut.

White Oak (Quercus alba), reaching a height of 120 feet and a diameter of 5 feet, is common below 4,500 feet elevation, especially on rocky soil. The timber is regarded as superior to that of the other oaks and is largely used in the manufacture of farm implements and wagons, for furniture, and for interior finish. The bark is rich in tannin. Seed is borne abundantly and often, and reproduction is good. The rate of growth is rapid, though not so rapid as that of the red oaks.

Post Oak (Quercus minor) is a small tree, seldom more than 60 feet in height and 24 inches in diameter. It is especially valued for wagon hubs. It occurs only on dry soils, generally associated with the yellow pine and black oak, and is uncommon except at low elevations, especially toward the southwestern end of the mountains. It seeds freely and reproduces well. The rate of growth is fair.

Swamp White Oak (Quercus platanoides) becomes a large tree, 100 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. It is found along streams, but is infrequent. The wood has the same qualities and uses as that of the white oak, though it is coarser and more brittle.

Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus), reaching a height of 90 feet and a diameter of 40 inches, is common on dry and especially sandy slopes. The wood is harder and more durable than that of the other oaks of this region and is largely used for posts, railway ties, and insulator pins. The bark, which is rich in tannin, is extensively used in the manufacture of white leathers, thousands of trees being yearly stripped to supply the demand. It seeds frequently and in abundance, and reproduces freely. The rate of growth is slow, the large trees often being 250 years old.

Yellow Oak (Quercus acuminata), reaching a height of 90 feet and a diameter of 24 inches, occurs rarely along the larger streams. The wood has much the same quality and uses as that of the white oak.

Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is the largest oak in the Southern Appalachians, frequently reaching a height of 130 feet and a diameter of more than 5 feet. It is common above 1,500 feet, but attains its greatest size in deep, cool hollows, on fertile soil, where it grows with chestnut, linn, birch, and yellow poplar. It is extensively sawn, and the wood is largely used in the manufacture of furniture, for interior finish, staves, and in construction. It is a tree of rapid growth, seeds frequently and freely, and reproduces well.

Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) is a small tree, seldom more than 50 feet in height and 20 inches in diameter. It is found only at a low elevation, along streams flowing from the western slope of the Smoky Mountains. The wood is coarse and porous, and even were the tree more common would be little used.

Spotted Oak (Quercus texana) is a tall, slender tree, often 110 feet high and 30 inches in diameter, growing in the larger valleys below 1,200 feet elevation. It is not common, but reproduces well and makes rapid growth.

Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea), reaching a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 30 inches, but generally much smaller, is very common on dry soil, especially if stiff, below 4,000 feet elevation. The timber is not so valuable as that of the red oak, but is much used. It reproduces freely and makes good growth.

Black Oak (Quercus velutina), reaching a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 30 inches, is frequent on good soil on well-drained slopes below 2,500 feet elevation. The timber has about the same uses as that of the red oak. It is a tree of rapid growth and reproduces well. The bark is rich in tannin.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus digitata), reaching in the mountains a height of 80 feet and a diameter of 30 inches, is common only below 2,000 feet elevation, where it occurs on dry soils generally with the shortleaf pine. It is a tree of rapid growth and seeds abundantly every few years. The bark is rich in tannin.

Bear Oak (Quercus pumila) is generally a large shrub, sometimes becoming a small tree. It is unimportant as a timber tree, and not at all common except northeastward.

Black Jack (Quercus marilandica) is a small tree, seldom more than 30 feet in height. It is found only on poor, dry soil below 2,000 feet elevation, and is infrequent except on the southern slope of the Blue Ridge. The wood makes an excellent fuel, but is valueless as timber.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra) is a small tree, reaching a height of 50 feet and a diameter seldom greater than 20 inches. It is found occasionally along the larger streams around the southern base of the mountains. It is not sufficiently abundant to have any specific use in this region. The wood is similar to that of the shingle oak, described below.

Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria) is a small tree, seldom more than 50 feet in height, which occurs in the valleys below 2,500 feet elevation. The wood is used for no specific purpose, but is coarse-grained and porous like that of the black and scarlet oaks, and is adapted to similar uses. It seeds freely, reproduces well, and makes rapid growth.

White Elm (Ulmus americana), reaching a height of 80 feet and a diameter of 30 inches, occurs only along the larger streams. It is not abundant enough to be generally used. The wood is hard and tough.

Winged Elm (Ulmus alata) occurs only along the larger streams, especially toward the southern end of the Appalachians. It is seldom more than 50 feet in height and 20 inches in diameter, and is unimportant as a timber tree. The wood is hard and tough.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus pubescens), reaching a height of more than 100 feet and a diameter of more than 30 inches, is occasionally found in rich hollows. It is too infrequent to have any commercial uses.

Late Elm (Ulmus serotina) is a small tree occurring on the larger streams at the southern end of the Appalachian Plateau. Its timber is similar to that of the other species, but is not used.

Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a slender tree, sometimes 90 feet feet high and 24 inches in diameter, which occurs along the larger streams. The wood is tough and strong, but is not used. It seeds freely and reproduces well.

Mississippi Hackberry (Celtis mississippiensis) is a tree similar in size and in the character of its wood to the preceding. It occurs along the larger streams, but is not common.

Rough Hackberry (Celtis crassifolia) is a smaller tree than the above, seldom more than 30 feet in height and 12 inches in diameter. The wood is tough and strong, but is not used.

Mulberry (Morus rubra) is a small tree with a very short stem, seldom more than 25 feet in height and 24 inches in diameter. The wood is tough and very durable, and is used for posts, etc. It is found in rich hollows at low elevations, but is in general cultivation for the fruit. It seeds regularly and abundantly, and makes rapid growth.

Cucumber-tree (Magnolia acuminata) is a large tree, becoming 120 feet high and 5 feet in diameter. It frequents the base of the mountains, generally above 1,500 feet altitude. The wood is rather soft and yellow, and is largely used in the manufacture of furniture, being marketed with that of the yellow poplar. Seed are not abundant and reproduction is scanty. The rate of growth is slow.

Yellow-flowered Cucumber-tree (Magnolia acuminata cordata) is a smaller tree than the preceding and is confined to the lower elevations at the southern end of the Appalachians. As a timber tree it is unimportant.

Largeleaf Umbrella-tree (Magnolia macrophylla) is a small tree, seldom more than 25 feet in height, which occurs at only a few places along streams or on shady slopes. It is often planted as an ornamental tree, but the wood has no uses.

Umbrella-tree (Magnolia tripetala) is a small tree very similar to the preceding, but more common.

Mountain Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri) is a tree 40 to 60 feet in height, growing along cool streams. The wood is soft and white, and is put to no uses. The bark is gathered and used medicinally.

Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is the largest tree of the Appalachians, attaining a height of 140 feet and a diameter of 8 feet. It is common below 3,500 feet elevation, but is most abundant and reaches its largest size in cool, sheltered hollows on rich soil. The wood is soft and yellow, and is extensively used in the manufacture of furniture and for wood pulp. It seeds frequently and abundantly, but young trees are not very common, as a delicate adjustment of light and moisture condition is required for regeneration. It reproduces freely on the partly shaded portions of old pastures. It is a tree of only medium rapidity of growth.

Papaw (Asimina triloba) is a small tree, seldom more than 30 feet in height, growing on rich, moist soil at low elevations. It is uncommon.

Sassafras (Sassafras sassafras), reaching a height of not more than 40 feet and a diameter of 24 inches, is common on dry, sandy soil. The red wood is hard and fine grained, and takes a beautiful polish. It is sometimes used in the manufacture of furniture. It reproduces freely in old fields on stiff soil by seed and suckers.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a small tree, about 15 feet in height, or generally a slender shrub, common on moist soils up to 4,000 feet elevation. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely. Extract of witch hazel is distilled from its bark.

Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is found in this area only along the larger streams at a low elevation. It becomes a tree 110 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. The wood is red, hard, and fine grained, and is used for crates, shipping boxes, tobacco boxes, etc., and for flooring and furniture. It seeds regularly, and seedlings are not uncommon near old trees.

Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a large tree, often 110 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter, common along the larger streams. The wood is hard and firm, with a beautiful grain, and is used for tobacco boxes, and to some extent in the manufacture of furniture. It seeds often and reproduces freely.

Crab Apple (Pyrus coronaria) is a small tree, 15 to 20 feet in height, common in old fields and open woods. The wood is hard and tough, and is used to some extent in turnery. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely.

Narrowleaf Crab Apple (Pyrus angustifolia) occurs with the preceding and is very similar to it in its wood.

Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana) is a small tree, seldom more than 30 feet in height, which is found around the summits of the higher mountains. The timber is not used.

Service-tree (Amelanchier canadensis) is a small tree, seldom more than 45 feet in height and 20 inches in diameter, which is common above 2,000 feet elevation. The wood is hard and fine grained, and is sometimes used in turnery. It seeds abundantly, and young trees are common.

Small-flowered Service (Amelanchier botryapium) is a tree with the same distribution and uses as the preceding.

Cockspur Thorn (Cratægus crus-galli) is a small tree, seldom more than 25 feet in height, frequent along roadsides and in fields. The wood is not used.

Blue Ridge Thorn (Cratægus multispina), becoming 25 feet in height and 10 inches in diameter, is frequent in fields and on roadsides along the Blue Ridge. It is unimportant as a timber tree.

Black Thorn (Cratægus tomentosa) is a small tree, seldom 20 feet in height, which occurs along streams. It is unimportant as a timber tree.

Chapman Thorn (Cratægus chapmani) is very similar to the preceding in size and distribution.

New River Thorn (Cratægus neo-fluvialis) occurs along streams in the northern part of the plateau. It is not common and is unimportant as a forest tree.

Washington Thorn (Cratægus cordata) is very frequent on dry soil at low elevations. Unassuming in size, it is a most beautiful ornamental tree.

Spatulate Thorn (Cratægus spathulata) is frequent at low elevations around the base of the plateau on dry soil.

Parsley Thorn (Cratægus apifolia) is an infrequent tree, about 20 feet in height, occurring on dry soil around the base of the plateau.

Tree Thorn (Cratægus viridis), becoming 35 feet in height and 15 inches in diameter, occurs along the larger streams below 1,500 feet elevation.

Dotted Thorn (Cratægus punctata) is common along cold streams and around the summits of the high mountains.

Golden Thorn (Cratægus crocata) is very much like the preceding, and has the same distribution.

Hill Thorn (Cratægus collina), becoming 25 feet high and 12 inches in diameter, is frequent in fields and in open, dry woods to the south of Asheville.

Buckley Thorn (Cratægus buckleyi) is a slender tree, sometimes 30 feet in height, which occurs along streams at low elevations, especially in the valley of the French Broad River.

Catawba Thorn (Cratægus catawbiensis) is a small, bushy tree occurring along streams on the east slope of the Blue Ridge.

Pruinose Thorn (Cratægus pruinosa) is a small tree, seldom 20 feet in height, with a short trunk. It occurs on dry hills, especially along the Blue Ridge.

Boynton Thorn (Cratægus boyntoni) is seldom 20 feet in height. It is common on dry hills, especially in the French Broad Valley.

Wild Plum (Prunus americana) is a small tree which is common in open woods and fields below 4,000 feet elevation. Its edible fruit is borne often and in abundance. The wood has no uses. It is the parent stock of many of the cultivated plums.

Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia) is a small tree much like the above, and also the parent of many cultivated varieties.

Fire Cherry (Prunus pennsylvanica) becomes 40 feet in height and more than 12 inches in diameter. It occurs in cold, damp woods around the high mountains, and often forms extensive groves of pure growth on burned spruce lands, where it prepares the soil for another growth of spruce. The wood is soft and brittle. Seeds are borne abundantly and frequently. The growth is rapid.

Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina) along streams at a low elevation is a small tree, but on moist land at high elevations becomes a tree 100 feet or more in height and 3 feet in diameter. The red wood is hard and takes a fine polish and is extensively used for interior finish, and was used for furniture until it became too rare. The rate of growth is rather slow. It seeds often, but young growth at high elevations is uncommon. The best trees have generally been removed.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small tree about 15 feet in height. It occurs along the edges of woods or on rocky banks of streams, seldom above 2,000 feet elevation. The wood is not used.

Honey Locust (Gleditschia triacanthos) is a tree reaching a height of 60 or 70 feet and a diameter of 24 inches. It was introduced into this region from middle Tennessee, but is thoroughly naturalized and propagates freely in old fields and waste places. The wood is not used, though it is tough, strong, and durable.

Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus diocus) is a small tree, seldom more than 40 feet in height. It occurs in fertile valleys at the foot of the western slope of the Smoky Mountains. The wood is not much used. It reproduces well.

Yellow-wood (Cladrastis lutea) is seldom more than 30 feet in height and a foot in diameter. It occurs in rich hollows at a low elevation at the southwestern end of the Appalachians. The hard, yellow wood takes a fine polish.

Locust (Robinia pseudacacia) is a slender tree sometimes 100 feet in height and 30 inches in diameter. It is frequent below 4,000 feet elevation on rather dry, yet shaded and deep soil. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely by sprouts, suckers, and seeds. The hard, yellow wood is very durable in contact with the soil or on exposure, and is extensively used for fence posts, sills, bridge timber, and insulator and ship pins. A most valuable tree, but it is often attacked by a fungus which destroys the heartwood.

Clammy Locust (Robinia viscosa) is a small tree, 20 to 30 feet in height, with a short stem, or generally a large shrub found wild in this area only in its southeastern part. It is highly prized as an ornamental plant on account of the beauty of its flowers, and is extensively cultivated. Its wood has no uses. It seeds frequently and reproduces freely both by seed and suckers.

Prickly Ash (Xantholum clava-herculis), becoming 25 feet in height and 1 foot in diameter, is frequent along streams. The wood is not used. An extract from the bark is used medicinally. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely.

Ailanthus (Ailanthus glandulosa) is an introduced Asiatic tree which reaches a height of 40 feet and a diameter of 10 feet. It is extensively naturalized along some of the streams, where it propagates freely by means of suckers, and forms dense thickets. The wood is hard, durable, and valuable, but is not used. The growth is rapid.

Staghorn Sumach (Rhus hirta) is a small tree, seldom 30 feet in height, growing along streams or in waste places, especially at high elevations. The bark yields a superior tannin for kids, but is not used locally.

Holly (Ilex opaca) is a small evergreen tree, rarely more than 50 feet in height and 1 foot in diameter, which grows chiefly in sandy flats along streams below 2,000 feet elevation. The wood is hard, white, and fine grained, and is used to some extent in cabinetmaking. It seeds often and abundantly, and reproduces well. It is much prized as an ornamental tree.

Deciduous Holly (Ilex decidua) is a small tree, seldom 25 feet in height, with a short trunk and large, spreading crown, growing along streams below 1,500 feet elevation. The wood is hard and tough, but is not used.

Mountain Holly (Ilex monticola), becoming 25 feet in height and 10 inches in diameter, is common on cold slopes at high elevations. The wood is not used.

Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) is a small tree, seldom 20 feet in height, often with several stems from the same root, which grows in cold, wet soil at high altitudes. It has no uses.

Striped Maple (Acer pennsylvanicum), becoming 50 feet in height and 14 inches in diameter, is found frequently along cold streams above 3,000 feet elevation. The wood is put to no use.

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), reaching a height of 120 feet and a diameter of 40 inches, is common north of the Cowee Mountains, above 2,000 feet elevation, on cold, moist soil. The hard, fine-grained wood is sawn for flooring; the figured wood for furniture stock. A small quantity of maple sugar is made from the sap. Seed is borne frequently and abundantly, and young trees are common in damp woods. The rate of growth is slow.

Black Maple (Acer nigrum) is a tree similar in size to the preceding, but much less common, being largely confined to the western slope of the Smoky Mountains.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum), becoming 110 feet in height and 36 inches in diameter, is common on moist soil, and the young growth in culled woods. The wood is softer than that of the preceding, and inferior to it. It seeds freely and reproduces well. The rate of growth is slow.

River Maple (Acer rubrum drummondii) is a smaller tree than the preceding, seldom more than 80 feet in height and 2 feet in diameter, which is common along the banks of the larger streams. The wood is soft and white, and is not used. It seeds freely and young trees are common.

Box Elder (Acer negundo), becoming 40 feet in height and 1 foot in diameter, is frequent along the large streams at a low elevation. The wood is not used.

Buckeye (Æsculus octandra) becomes a tree 120 feet in height and 4 feet in diameter. It is common in cold hollows, especially above 3,000 feet elevation. The wood is light and soft, but is not generally used. It reproduces freely. The rate of growth is good.

Purple Buckeye (Æsculus octandra hybrida) is a smaller and less common tree than the preceding, and is confined to the western slope of the Smoky Mountains. The wood is similar to that of the preceding.

Buckthorn (Rhamus caroliniana) is a small tree, seldom more than 25 feet in height, found on open slopes near the larger streams. The wood is not used.

Linn (Tilia heterophylla), becoming a tree 120 feet in height and 4 feet in diameter, is common along streams and in cool hollows. The wood is white, light, and soft, and is extensively sawn for lumber. It seeds freely, but seedlings are not common. It sprouts freely from the stump.

Blue Ridge Linn (Tilia eburnea) is a tree similar to the preceding in size and quality of wood. It is confined to the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the region near them.

Basswood (Tilia americana), reaching a height of more than 100 feet and a diameter of 3 feet, is confined to streams at the base of the western slope of the Smoky Mountains, but is by no means common. The wood is used with that of the linn without distinction.

Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a small tree, seldom 80 feet in height and 1 foot in diameter, common beneath the shade of other trees on fertile soil below 3,000 feet elevation. The wood is hard, heavy, and strong, and is used for shuttle blocks and a variety of mechanical purposes. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely. The rate of growth is slow.

Blue Cornel (Cornus alternifolia), a slender tree 25 feet in height, is common along cold mountain streams.

Swamp Cornet (Cornus sericea), a bushy tree 20 feet in height, is common along the larger streams.

Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) is a tree sometimes 110 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter, but generally much smaller, which is common along streams at low elevations and on dry slopes at high elevations. The wood is hard and tough, but not durable, and is little used except as rails for tramways in logging. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely. The rate of growth is good.

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), a tree 80 feet in height and 18 inches in diameter, is common on dry soil below 4,000 feet elevation. The red wood is hard and fine grained and takes a good polish. It is used to some extent in the manufacture of furniture. The seed are borne in abundance and reproduction is prolific. The rate of growth is fair.

Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), a tree 40 feet in height and 18 inches in diameter, is found in fields and waste places. The hard, tough wood is used for shuttle blocks, shoe lasts, insulator pins, etc. It seeds freely and reproduces well, especially on old fields.

Sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria) is a small tree, seldom more than 20 feet in height, which grows on dry soil. The bark yields a yellow dye.

Peawood or Bell-tree (Mohrodendron carolinum) is common along streams, where it is a small tree, seldom 70 feet in height, but becoming in the rich, damp hollows of the Black and Smoky mountains a tree 100 feet in height and 30 inches in diameter. The reddish wood is hard and fine grained and takes a good polish, and on the western slopes of the Smoky Mountains is sawn and sold as cherry. It seeds frequently and freely and reproduces well. The rate of growth is fair.

Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra), a small tree not more than 30 feet in height and 1 foot in diameter, grows in cold mountain swamps. It is found only in a few places, and is unimportant as a timber tree.

White Ash (Fraxinus americana), becoming 130 feet in height and 40 inches in diameter, is one of the most common and important trees. The light brown, elastic wood is largely used in furniture, for handles of agricultural implements, etc. It seeds freely and reproduces well if proper soil and light conditions are afforded. The growth is good.

Red Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is a slender tree, seldom more than 110 feet in height and 2 feet in diameter, which is frequent along the banks of the larger streams. The wood is similar to that of the White Ash, and is put to the same uses.

Green Ash (Fraxinus lanceolata) is a tree with the same size and distribution as the above, but more common.

Biltmore Ash (Fraxinus biltmoreana) is a tree 20 feet in height and 2 feet in diameter, growing on the larger streams of the plateau. It is not common.

Catawba Ash (Fraxinus catawbiensis) is a slender tree, 110 feet in height and 30 inches in diameter. It occurs only on the banks of the larger streams at the foot of the Blue Ridge. Its growth is rapid and it reproduces freely.

Fringetree (Chionanthus virginica), becoming 25 feet in height and 8 inches in diameter, is common along streams at lower elevations.

Catalpa (Catalpa catalpa) is an introduced tree which has become naturalized along some of the larger streams. It becomes 40 feet in height and 2 feet in diameter, and is a tree of rapid growth. The wood is durable and makes excellent posts.

Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) is a small tree, 15 feet in height, frequent in fields and along small streams at low elevations. An extract from the bark is used medicinally.