ANGIOSPERM TREES 303 



other hardwoods on deep, rich, soils. Seed crops are produced 

 irregularly, and germination is delayed or uncertain, most of the 

 basswood reproduction being from stump sprouts, which develop 

 when the old trees are cut. Rapid growth by both seedlings and 

 sprouts results in trees maturing in slightly over one hundred 

 years. The wood is soft, light, moderately strong and even- 

 grained, with light brown to nearly white heartwood and thick 

 white sapwood. The inner bark is fibrous, being sometimes 

 manufactured into cordage, and the flowers yield a nectar which 

 is especially fine for bees. 



The Gums 



Tupelo, or gum {Nyssa) consists of six eastern species. Their 

 leaves are alternate, simple, and oval in shape, often with wavy 

 or coarsely toothed margins. The small, greenish white flowers 

 are solitary or borne in clusters, giving rise to purple oval fruits. 



The gums include two trees of importance for their timber 

 products, the tupelo gum ranging from southern Virginia to 

 Texas along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions, and extending 

 northward in the Mississippi valley to southern Illinois; and the 

 BLACK GUM which ranges more widely, extending from southern 

 Maine to central Florida on the east, and from southern Mich- 

 igan to eastern Texas on the west. Both are large trees and reach 

 their best development in southern swamp lands and along moist 

 river bottoms. Tupelo gum occurs in almost pure stands, or 

 mixed with cypress, while black gum does not occur in any 

 quantity in one locality, being found generally mixed with other 

 hardwood species. On rich, moist soils the gums grow rapidly, 

 but in swamps the growth is slower. Their wood is medium heavy, 

 fairly hard, and difficult to split, with a yellow to brownish gray 

 heartwood and paler sapwood. 



The Maples 



Maples {Acer) numbering about thirteen native species, have 

 opposite, simple or compound, leaves (fig. 219). The simple 

 leaves are palmately veined and lobed; the compound ones arc 

 three parted or pinnately divided. The small, red or yellow 

 flowers give rise to the familiar two seeded winged fruits. 



