84 



The Farm Woodlot 



teristic of such areas as well as of abandoned fields. The 

 birches seed abundantly and the seed is scattered widely 

 by the wind. They also sprout from the stump and in 

 this way are prolific fuel producers. 



The hornbeam 



The hornbeam, or ironwood, is not a tree that is found in 

 the farm plantation. It is very common and is found 

 in practically every natural woodlot in which trees have 

 had an equal opportunity to establish themselves. The 

 hornbeam is sometimes called ironwood and is confused 

 with the small tree called blue beech or ironwood. The 

 two trees are small, but the hornbeam is by far the more 

 valuable. The two trees may readily be distinguished 

 from each other by the nature and color of the bark. The 

 blue beech has a close-fitting dark gray bark and fluted 

 trunk. 



THE COMMON HORNBEAM 



The hornbeam is a valuable little tree for its tough 

 and very hard and fine-grained wood. It does not grow 

 to large size, but can be depended on to furnish a 

 pole of exceptional strength and toughness. It is also 



