Handbook of Trees of the Northern States and Canada. 199 



Tlie Rod Mulberry wlicu growing' in the ft)i- 

 est attains i.he height of from tlO to 80 ft. an>l 

 ii; sometimes 3 or 4 ft in diameter of trunk. 

 When growing apart from the influence of 

 other trees it develops a compact, broad, 

 rounded top of many small branches, and the 

 siiort trunks of these isolated trees are some- 

 times tliicker tlian tlie measurements above 

 noted, it is a hamlsomc tree with large dis- 

 tinct leaves, on account of whicli it casts a 

 dense sliadc, and is well worthy of being 

 planted as an ornamental shade tree. It in- 

 habits rich bottom-lands and low liillsides 

 which it enlivens in autumn with its bright 

 palc-ycllow atituninal garb. Its sweet juicy 

 fruit, very much resembling a blackberry in 

 ai)])carance, is esteemed as one of our choice 

 n;itivf fruit-, and some natural varieties, dis- 

 tinguished on account of the abundance or 

 si;:e of fruit, are being propagated by horticul- 

 turists. The fruit is eagerly devored liy birds 

 and other denizens of the forest and on the 

 farm by poultry, etc. 



The wood is rather heavy, a cubic foot when 

 absolutely dry weighing 45.41 lbs., moderately 

 soft and very durable and is used in cooper- 

 age and boat building, for fences, etc.i 



fjcarcs mostly orbicular-ovate, some ."? ."(-lobed or 

 with single lobe on one side, from rounded to 

 cordate at base, abruptly acuminate at apex, ser- 

 rate, dark green and ronsliish above, pale puhes- 

 cent and prominently reticulated l)eneath. The 

 primary veins arcuate and united near the mar- 

 gins : stipules lanceolate, pale or reddish green. 

 Flowers: staminate spikes drooping, with stout 

 pubescent peduncles : stamens with flattened fila- 

 ments tapering from base to anther: pistillate 

 spike smaller and with shorter peduncles. Fruit 

 purplish black when fully ripe, oblong, averaging 

 about one inch in length, juicy and delicious. 



1. .\. \v.. Ill, u.:. 



::. For j;eiu;s s.^e i.. 4:;:'.- 





