62 



Yearbook^ of Agriculture 1949 



long crown. The star-shaped, decidu- 

 ous leaves develop brilliant autumn 

 colors that range from yellow through 

 orange to red and deep bronze. Gorky 

 ridges on some of the branches and 

 the persistent spiny, fruiting balls are 

 characteristically present. The tree is 

 fairly long-lived, tolerant of different 

 sites excepting poorly drained ones, 

 and moderately free of pests. 



Transplanting is fairly easy in light 

 but rather difficult in heavy soils. Its 

 woody fruits are somewhat objection- 

 able at times, and a top dieback in 

 some localities has been noted. 



THE AMERICAN HOLLY may become 

 a moderate-sized tree 40 feet in height. 

 It has both shade and ornamental 

 value. Its pyramidal crown of glossy 

 evergreen leaves and its brilliant red 

 berries lend beauty throughout the 

 year. Certain individuals and varieties 

 bear fruit much more abundantly than 

 others, so that selections are desirable 

 or necessary. The tree is fairly slow 

 growing, long-lived, and rather resist- 

 ant to insects and diseases. 



Propagation with well-kept trans- 

 plants is more successful than with 

 wild seedlings. The tree is rather exact- 

 ing in soil requirements but grows sat- 

 isfactorily when established in acid 

 soils. Although it is not particularly 

 adaptable, the beauty of the American 

 holly justifies listing it for suitable sites. 



THE AMERICAN BEECH is a medium- 

 tall tree, which branches close to the 

 ground and has a large, open-spread- 

 ing crown. It gives a good, dense shade. 

 Unbroken light-gray bark, maintained 

 throughout its life, is a distinctive char- 

 acteristic. The tree thrives best on rich, 

 well-drained soils in the mountains or 

 bottom lands and is relatively free of 

 pests. 



A number of ornamental varieties of 

 the European beech includes those 

 forms with bronze-purple foliage, 

 weeping branches, and cut leaves. Use 

 of the beech for shade purposes is 

 most common in the Garolinas and 

 more mountainous parts of the region. 



THE COMMON CRAPEMYRTLE IS CX- 



tensively planted in the warmer parts 

 of the region. An introduced tree, it 

 is noted for its attractive flower clus- 

 ters and persistent foliage. It is a small 

 tree with fluted trunk from which the 

 thin bark peels off, leaving a smooth 

 surface. The flowers, 1 to 1.5 inches 

 in diameter, are purple, pink, laven- 

 der, or red, and occur in terminal 

 panicles from June to September. The 

 tree is fairly long-lived and slow grow- 

 ing, and is easily cultivated. 



It prefers moist conditions during 

 the growing season. In moist soils, it is 

 subject to uprooting by severe storms. 

 It is particularly useful if space is 

 limited and a decorative tree is desired. 



THE EASTERN REDBUD is a rather 

 small tree that is extensively favored 

 for ornamental purposes. It usually 

 branches 10 to 15 feet from the ground 

 and forms a narrow erect, or spreading, 

 flattened, or rounded head. Masses of 

 attractive small light-pink to purple 

 flowers appear from late in February 

 to April. 



The redbud grows fairly rapidly, is 

 rather free of pests, and is propagated 

 from seed or young transplants. Al- 

 though moderately hardy, it prefers 

 rich and fairly moist sandy loam soils. 

 Special care in establishing and main- 

 taining the tree may be required in 

 some localities. 



THE WATER OAK is a large tree that 

 is grown extensively on wide streets 

 and large lawns. It grows fast in early 

 life and provides quick shade. It is 

 tall and rather slender, with a round- 

 topped, fairly symmetrical crown of 

 ascending branches. Although it is 

 not an evergreen, the leaves often per- 

 sist until Christmas or after. 



It is easily propagated, tolerant of 

 varying conditions, rather short-lived, 

 and somewhat more subject to mistle- 

 toe and storm damage than willow 

 oak. Since it provides early shade, is 

 easily handled, and has pleasing sym- 

 metry, the water oak is grown widely 

 where adequate space is available. 



