622 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



NATIVE PECAN TREES IN A MEADOW 



These give sliade for stock and yield a nut crop at the same time. Not infrequently such trees bear 

 a bushel or more of nuts worth at least ten cents a pound, or a minimuin of $4 00 a bushel. It is not un- 

 usual for single trees in the open to yield two bushels or more of nuts which readily bring twelve to fifteen 

 cents a pound. 



trees of most sjjecies are both too small and too 

 short-lived to be suitable for hisjhvvay plantint^-. With 

 nut trees, the silualion is entirely different. The native 

 walnuts, most sjjecics of hickories and the American 

 beech are large-t^rowinsj and long-lived trees. In addi- 

 tion, they are capable of withstanding severe tempera- 

 tures : they are tough and strong and not liable to in- 

 jury by storm or while being climbed by ordinary per- 

 sons ; and they readily adapt themselves to a wide range 

 of soil, moisture and climatic conditions. 



Ordinary s[)ecies of nut trees cannot be recommended 

 for the dual ])urpose of timber and nut |)roduction, as, 

 for the former purpose, the trees should be jilanted 

 close together in order to induce length and straightness 

 of trunk with a minimum of top or bearing surface, 

 while for the latter, they should be planted in the open 

 and given space for the maximum development of bear- 

 ing surface and a minimum length of trunk. The great 

 demand for hickory in the making of axles, wheels and 

 other vehicle parts and handles for tools, and for walnut 

 in the manufacture of furniture and gun stocks makes 

 it not only ]jossi]:)le Init common ])ractice to use these 

 woods in short lengths. Therefore, both species ])lante<l 

 along the highways and in other waste ])laces might 

 prcjfitably be converted into timber upon reaching ma- 

 turity, if their croi)s of nuts should jjrove to be of small 

 commercial value. 



The butternut, J . cincrca, is less a symmetrical grower 

 than are the black walnuts. The timber is less valuable 

 and the nuts are cracked With greater difficulty. Never- 

 theless, it is the most hardy of any native species of 

 Jiiglans. Its kernels are rich in quality and of a flavor 

 more pleasing to some persons than that of any other 



kernels affords the rural peo- 

 ple in many sections a fairly 

 [)rolital)le means of employ- 

 ment during the winter 

 months. Its native range ex- 

 tends farther north tlian does 

 that of either tiie eastern black 

 walnut or the shagbark hick- 

 ory, Uicoria uvata, and is 

 considerably beyond that of 

 the shellbark hickory, H. la- 

 ciniosa. Therefore, in view 

 of its hardiness, and the merit 

 of its kernels, it is well worthy 

 of consideration for ])lanting 

 in the most northern ])arts of 

 the country. 



The black w.'dnut of the 

 Southwest, J. ritpcstris is one 

 of the sturdy, graceful and 

 durable species of that section. 

 The nuts are seldom of suffi- 

 cient size to be of commercial 

 value. The California black walnuts, /. californica 

 and J. Iiindsii, fall into about the same class as does 

 this species in respect to the points mentioned. So far 

 as the planter is concerned, the main differences are 

 those of adaptability to different sections. Lender favor- 



A PERSIAN (ENGLISH) WALNUT 



This particular tree, by a residence on Wisconsin avenue, Washington, 

 D. C., is very satisfactory as a producer of shade and ornamental enect, 

 and in addition, it yields fair crops of nuts. Similar trees are by no 

 nut. Cracking the native butternut and marketing the means uncommon fro'm Washington northward to Connecticut and west 

 ^ to Southern Michigan. 



