Part 6

=Notes=.—This tree, which is rare in West Virginia, must be listed in the class of unimportant trees. Its wood is comparatively inferior and it is less desirable for ornamental purposes than many other species.

SCRUB OAK

=Quercus ilicifolia=, Wang.

=Form=.—Height 4-20 feet, diameter 2-6 inches; trunk short, branches stiff, contorted forming a flat-topped irregular head.

=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, 2-5 inches long, usually 5-lobed, with shallow sinuses and sharp, bristle-tipped divisions of the lobes; leathery, dark green and lustrous above, coated beneath with a dense white pubescence.

=Flowers=.—May, with the leaves; monoecious; staminate flowers on long catkins, the pistillate on short tomentose stalks, and with red stigmas.

=Fruit=.—Acorns mature in second autumn after the flowers; cup deep, reddish-brown and soft downy within, with light brown scales, the outer row forming a narrow fringe around the edge; nut ovoid, about half enclosed in the cup; kernel yellow.

=Bark=.—Dark gray and scaly on old trunks.

=Wood=.—Strong, hard, with brown heartwood.

=Range=.—Maine to southern Virginia, west to Ohio.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common along the Alleghany Mountains and in the Eastern Panhandle.

=Habitat=.—Dry soils of slopes and mountain tops.

=Notes=.—This oak is usually a shrub in West Virginia, but it sometimes reaches the form and size of a small tree. In many places it grows in dense thickets covering large areas on mountain sides and flats. The red-brown dry leaves often hang on over winter, giving rise to a common local name, “Red-brush.”

BLACK JACK OAK

=Quercus marilandica=, Muench.

=Form.=—Height 30-50 feet, diameter 12-18 inches; crown narrow and compact with short stout branches.

=Leaves.=—Alternate, simple, 6-7 inches long, nearly as wide as long, rounded and narrow at the base, broadening outward, with about 3 broad and shallow lobes which are dentate; leathery, dark green and lustrous above, paler and often coated with a rusty, scurfy pubescence beneath.

=Flowers.=—May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate flowers in long catkins, the pistillate on short pubescent stalks.

=Fruit.=—Acorns mature the second autumn after the flowers; cup deep, covering about ½ of the nut, downy within, scales large, reddish-brown and loose.

=Bark.=—Rough, with deep fissures and dark ridges which are broken into broad angular plates.

=Wood.=—Heavy, hard, strong, dark brown.

=Range.=—New York to Florida and Texas, west to Nebraska.

=Distribution in West Virginia.=—Observed only on the western slope of Blue Ridge Mountains in Jefferson County.

=Habitat.=—Sandy or heavy clay soils.

=Notes.=—The Black Jack Oak is very rare and scrubby in growth in this State. It has no value as a timber tree, but is desirable for ornamental purposes.

LAUREL OAK

=Quercus imbricaria=, Michx.

=Form=.—Height 50-100 feet, diameter 1-3 feet; crown pyramidal or round-topped and open, with drooping lateral branches.

=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, 4-6 inches long, oblong or lanceolate, margins entire or sometimes undulate, with acute apex, dark green and lustrous above, pale and hairy beneath.

=Flowers=.—May, with the leaves; monoecious; staminate flowers borne on long catkins; the pistillate on short stalks.

=Fruit=.—Acorns mature the second autumn after the flowers; cup saucer-shaped, brown and glossy inside, with reddish-brown scales, and enclosing about ½ of the ovoid, dark brown, often striate nut.

=Bark=.—With shallow fissures and with ridges having brown scales.

=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, coarse-grained, reddish-brown.

=Range=.—Pennsylvania to Georgia west to Michigan. Nebraska and Arkansas.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Locally distributed in many parts of the State, but nowhere common. Observed in Barbour, Grant, Hardy, Mason, Monongalia, Morgan, and Upshur counties.

=Habitat=.—Prefers bottom lands along streams.

=Notes=.—This oak is unusual in appearance since the leaves are entirely without lobes. It cannot be recommended for forestry purposes.

SLIPPERY ELM

=Ulmus fulva=, Michx.

=Form=.—Height 40-80 feet, diameter 1-2½ feet; trunk usually short and soon branching; crown open and broad.

=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, 5-7 inches long, ovate-oblong, oblique at base, abruptly sharp-pointed apex, margin doubly serrate, rough-hairy on both sides.

=Flowers=.—April, before the leaves; mostly perfect; on short pedicels in crowded branches; corolla absent, calyx green, anthers red, two stigmas purple.

=Fruit=.—Matures in spring a few weeks after the flowers; a one-seeded samara consisting of a small flat seed surrounded by a wing which is nearly circular in outline and smooth, except over the seed cavity.

=Bark=.—Thick, divided by fissures and with large, thick appressed scales, brown tinged with red within, inner bark fragrant, mucilaginous and slippery.

=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, strong, reddish-brown, with thin sapwood.

=Range=.—Southeastern Canada to Florida, west to North Dakota and Texas.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common locally, rare in many sections. Found in the following counties: Barbour, Braxton, Clay, Fayette, Grant, Mingo, Monongalia, Pocahontas, Putnam, Roane, Tyler, Upshur and Wetzel.

=Habitat=.—Fertile, rocky soil.

=Notes=.—The slippery, inner bark, the smooth-margined fruits and the rusty-brown, orbicular, pubescent buds distinguish this from other elms. It is not an important tree for forest planting. It is sometimes called Red Elm.

AMERICAN ELM

=Ulmus americana=, L.

=Form=.—Height 60-100 feet, diameter 2-6 feet, sometimes much larger; trunk usually dividing 25-30 feet above the ground; crown varied in form, usually wide-spreading.

=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, 4-6 inches long, oval, coarsely-doubly-serrate, oblique at the base, thick, dark green and rough above, paler and smoother beneath.

=Flowers=.—April, before the leaves, mostly perfect; borne in dense fascicles, corolla absent, calyx 5-9 round-lobed, stamens with red anthers, styles two, green.

=Fruit=.—Matures in spring soon after the flowers; oval samara consisting of a flat seed surrounded by a wing which has a terminal notch and ciliate margin.

=Bark=.—Rough, with deep fissures and scaly ridges, ashy-gray.

=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, strong, not easily split, light brown.

=Range=.—Newfoundland to the Rocky Mountains and south to Florida and Texas.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—A very common tree, especially at low 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.