eV RNAye 
years the woods of this region have been culled for beech, since, when sent 
to the treating plant, it makes a good railway tie; and it is also sawed 
for car stock and switch ties. Heavy cutting makes light and mois- 
ture conditions unfavorable for beech, hence with rare exceptions it 
reproduces largely by root suckers, and is generally replaced in the new 
stand by more xerophytic species, such as black oak and hickory. There 
is still considerable beech around Alto Pass in woods which have not been 
burned over, because of moister conditions of the leaf litter. 
Hickories. (Genus Hicoria.)—While there are several species of 
hickory in this region the classification of some of which gives trouble 
to the botanist, no distinction is made in the lumber. 
Hicoria ovata. Shagbark or Shellbark Hickory.—This tree is easily 
recognized by the bark, which exfoliates in long strips. The leaflets are 
three to five, ovate to obovate in shape, hairy beneath when they unfold 
and usually until maturity, but sometimes almost glabrous. The nut is 
small and sweet—one of the best of the hickory-nuts coming into our 
markets. Hickory is strong, but not durable in the ground, and is used 
principally for carriage and wagon stock, handles, and sucker rods, while 
young saplings are used for hoop-poles and rustic furniture. The old 
distinction in the trade by which only the white sap-wood was used for 
wagon parts or spokes has disappeared, since the brown heartwood is 
normally just as strong as the sap-wood. Hickory sprouts vigorously 
when the younger trees are cut and its sprouts are very fire-resistant, so 
that it is forming a larger and larger proportion of our southern Illinois 
upland forests. 
Hicoria laciniosa. Big Shellbark Hickory.—This hickory, also known 
as the big scaly bark hickory, is found in the bottoms, often associated 
with the shellbark hickory. The nuts are very much larger and harder 
to crack than those of the latter species. Its wood has similar properties 
and its uses are the same as those of the shellbark, although its bark, 
according to Professor Trelease, is usually less shaggy. 3 
Hicoria pecan. Pecan Hickory.—This species belongs to the water 
hickories, having from 9-17 leaflets, and buds which resemble those of the 
bitternut hickory. It is found on bottomlands subject to overflow, and 
in some parts of the region under discussion specimens are left standing 
in the fields on account of the value of their crop of nuts. When other 
trees in the woods are removed from around pecan the crown spreads, 
making it more valuable for nut production. Its wood is the poorest of 
all the hickories. 
Hicoria minima. Bitternut Hickory.—This is also one of the water 
hickories and can usually be identified by the more numerous and nar- 
rower leaflets, and by the twigs and buds—both of which are sometimes 
