Handbook of Tkeks of the Noktiikkn States and Canada. 131 



The Black Akior is a naturalized troo found 

 in various localities in the Atlantii; states, 

 particularly in southern New York and Xew 

 Jersey. In its native home it is generally dis 

 tributcd over Europe, western Asia and 

 northern Africa in moist localities, and at 

 tains a height of from 50 to 70 ft. with a 

 eymmetrical pyramidal or when old rounded 

 top, and with trunk 1-2 ft. in diameter. Being 

 a vigorous growing tree of desirable (pialities 

 for ornamental planting, particularly on low 

 grounds, it was brought to America and 

 planted for ornamental purposes, and being 

 possessed of a hardy adaptable constitution it 

 seeds freely and grows spontaneously in suit 

 able localities. Few introduced trees of the 

 ornamental value of this are so well suited 

 to planting in very wet localities. Those 

 are mainly Willows and Poplars and among 

 them the straight smooth trunks of the Black 

 Alder, with their symmetrical tops of hand- 

 some foliage, have a very pleasing eflfect. They 

 are not, however, very long-lived trees with us, 

 and individuals are not found as large as those 

 in their native land. 



In Europe the tree is of considerable com 



mercial importance, as its soft straight 



grained wood is easily worked and valuable 



in turnery, for wooden-ware, wooden-shoes, 



etc., and for carving. It is valued, too, for 



water pipes, pumps, piles, etc., and is largely 



used for charcoal and fuel. The bark and 



fruit are used in tanning leather and a yello v 



dye is made from the bark and leaves. The 



bark is also used in medicine, having astringent 



and alterative properties. 



Lravrx orljiciilnr to ohovato. 2-r) in. long, mostly 

 obtuse at l);isi' ami rdiusc or iNJiuidcd ,it aprx. 

 irroKuInrly scn-alr-di'tnatc distinctly ijlulinous at 

 first, Klaliroiis dull ^n'''" al>ovo. Krccn and f,'':il)rous 

 or pnt)i>sci'nt on tti(> veins lioneath. Floircru ap- 

 pear in onrl.v spring l)oforo the leaves ; staminatc 

 amonts L'-.'! in. and the pistillate about V> in. loni;. 

 Fruit: strohile oblong-ovoid. 1/2-% in. long, with 

 wingless seeds. 



