Important Forest Trees of the United States 



146. Pacific dogwood. 147. Bigleaf maple. 148. Oregon ash. 149. California-laurel. 



DICOTYLEDONS (BROADLEAF TREES OR HARDWOODS) 



QQ. Leaves net-veined; trunk with bark and wood distinct and with annual rings in 

 wood DICOTYLEDONS (broadleaf trees, or hardwoods, such as oaks, poplars, 

 ashes, maples ) . 



R. Leaves and usually branches in pairs (opposite). 

 S. Leaves not divided into leaflets (simple). 



T. Leaf edges smooth, not lobed DOGWOOD (Cornus). 



146. PACIFIC DOGWOOD, Cornus nuttalli Audubon (western dogwood, dogwood). 

 Small to medium-sized tree of Pacific coast region north to British Columbia. Bark 



reddish brown, thin, smoothish. Leaves paired, oval, 3 to 5 inches long, short-pointed, edges 

 appearing smooth but minutely toothed, lateral veins curved, bright green and nearly smooth 

 above, whitish and hairy beneath, turning orange and scarlet in fall. Flowers greenish 

 yellow, in a dense head with 4 to 6 (usually 6) showy, white, petallike bracts 3 to 5 inches 

 in diameter, in early spring. Fruits egg-shaped, % to l /z inch long, bright red or orange. 

 Principal uses: Shuttles (used in textile weaving). Ornamental. 



TT. Leaf edges toothed, deeply 3- or 5-lobed MAPLE (Acer). 



147. BIGLEAF MAPLE, Acer macrophyllum Pursh (Oregon maple, broadleaf maple). 

 Large tree of Pacific coast region north to Canada and Alaska. Bark gray brown, thin, 



smoothish, becoming deeply furrowed. Leaves paired, heart-shaped, very large, 6 to 12 

 inches in diameter, deeply 3- or 5-lobed with additional smaller lobes, dark green and shiny 

 above, pale green below, turning bright orange in fall. Leafstalks long and stout, 10 to 12 

 inches long. Key fruits 1 J4 to 2 inches long, long-winged, paired and in clusters. 



Principal uses: Veneer, furniture, handles and fixtures, and woodenware and novelties. 

 Shade tree. 



SS. Leaves subdivided into 5 to 9 leaflets (compound) ASH (Fraxinus; see also 

 Nos. 31 and 33). 



148. OREGON ASH, Fraxinus oregona Nutt. 



Medium-sized to large tree of Pacific coast region, including British Columbia. Bark 

 dark gray or brown, with diamond-shaped fissures and forking ridges. Leaves paired, 

 compound, 5 to 14 inches long. Leaflets usually 7 or 5, usually without stalks, elliptical, 

 2 to 5 inches long, short-pointed, edges smooth or slightly toothed, light green, nearly 



