Shade Trees for the Southeast 



THE MIMOSA, or silktree albizia, is 

 a rather small tree that is widely cul- 

 tivated in the Southeast as an orna- 

 mental. It grows rapidly under a 

 variety of conditions of soil and has 

 graceful and fernlike leaves and strik- 

 ing colorful flowers. The flowers, pink 

 in color and in clusters at the ends of 

 the branches, usually come in May and 

 June. The seed is produced in large 

 quantities and propagation from seed 

 is easy. A vascular wilt disease has 

 been highly destructive to mimosa, but 

 we hope resistant varieties can be bred. 



THE WINGED ELM is medium in size, 

 usually from 40 to 50 feet in height. 

 It develops a short bole, with branches 

 ascending into a fairly open round- 

 topped crown. It is of pleasing pro- 

 portions and has a somewhat lacy and 

 drooping habit; the branchlets often 

 are corky- winged. The tree grows 

 fairly rapidly. It is moderately long- 

 lived, and does well on dry as well as 

 on rich, moist soils. Propagation from 

 seed or transplants is not difficult. 

 Although relatively resistant to pests, 

 a destructive virus disease is known to 

 attack it. The winged elm lacks some 

 of the graceful qualities of the Ameri- 

 can elm, but is liked in many places. 



THE AMERICAN ELM, a highly prized 

 shade tree, is planted extensively only 

 in the more northern part of this re- 

 gion. It is described fully on page 50. 



A SUPPLEMENTAL LIST! The follow- 



ing trees are grown somewhat less ex- 

 tensively than those described, or, if 

 widely used, have certain limiting fea- 

 tures, which, however, may be con- 

 sidered minor in specific places. 



Sugarberry, or the sugar hackberry. 

 Fairly large and widely used for quick 

 shade; not exacting in requirements; 

 propagates easily, but tends to split in 

 storms; subject to some mistletoe dis- 

 figurement ; not very clean. 



Pecan. Medium to rather large; is 

 widely cultivated for nuts and to some 

 extent for shade; fairly exacting in re- 

 quirements; rather susceptible to dis- 



eases, insects, and mistletoes ; nuts often 

 lead to branch breakage. 



Eastern redcedar. Medium-sized py- 

 ramidal conifer commonly used as an 

 ornamental; it tolerates various soils; 

 often subject to a complex of pest and 

 environmental troubles that may re- 

 quire attention. 



Panicled goldenrain-tree. Small to 

 medium-sized introduced hardy, decid- 

 uous tree with sparse branching, fern- 

 like leaves, large terminal panicles of 

 yellow flowers in summer followed by 

 attractively colored capsules; it is not 

 widely tested but merits consideration 

 for late-summer and fall coloring. 



Yellow-poplar, or tuliptree. Large in 

 size and grown to some extent for shade 

 and ornamental purposes, its pleasing 

 form, and floral characteristics; some- 

 what exacting in requirements; rather 

 subject to breakage from storms. 



Canary date. Massive, spreading or- 

 namental planted widely in Florida 

 and to some extent along coastal area; 

 tolerant of soil conditions; subject to 

 freezing in some parts of region; used 

 chiefly as ornamental. 



American sycamore. Extensively 

 used, massive, spreading deciduous 

 tree; grows rapidly; provides early 

 shade; tolerates varied site conditions; 

 propagates fairly easily; needs 60-foot 

 spread space; subject to a number of 

 pests; shedding of leaves, fruit, and 

 twigs sometimes objectionable. 



Carolina laurel-cherry. Small to me- 

 dium evergreen cultivated somewhat 

 for ornament and shade; grows rapid- 

 ly; produces small white flowers in 

 numerous short racemes; not very ex- 

 acting; useful for limited space; not 

 long-lived; leaves contain prussic acid 

 poisonous to stock. 



White oak. This is a large tree with a 

 broad crown and spreading limbs; 

 rather long-lived and fairly tolerant of 

 varied sites; somewhat slow in growth 

 and cultivated less extensively than 

 several other oaks for shade. 



Scarlet oak. Medium to fairly large 

 with widespreading irregular crown; 

 rather fast growing; brilliant scarlet 

 fall coloring; it is short-lived; the dead 



