The Redbuds and the Cofeetrees 



115 



It is a medium-sized tree sometimes attaining a height of 80 ft. and a diameter 

 of 2 ft., but is ordinarily a smaller tree which divides comparatively near the ground 

 into three or four upright limbs, which form a narrow head. The bark is dark 

 brown and roughened by large scales at the base and by many thin, curved, ridges 

 higher up and on the larger branches. 



The twigs are very coarse and blunt and often downy. The pith is salmon - 

 pink or brown in colour. These stout twigs enable one to distinguish the tree at 

 some distance. 



The winter buds are very tiny for such a large twig. They are downy and 

 almost sunk out of sight just above a broad crescent or heart-shaped leaf-scar. 



KENTUCKY 



COFFEETREE 



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The leaf is very large, from 2 to 3 ft. long. It is doubly compound, i.e., many 

 leaflets are attached to a common stem, these in turn are again attached to a larger 

 stem that is attached to the twig. The dull, dark green leaflets are without teetli 

 on the margin. 



The fruit is a curved pod 4 to 8 in. long and 2 in. broad which often remains cu 

 the tree well into the winter. The seed is brown and flattened. These seeds wero 

 at one time used as a substitute for coflee, hence the tree's common name. 



2251081 I [ 



