Handbook of Trees of the Noetiiekn States axd Canada. 245 



The Cock-spur Tliorn i'^ a low wido-sproad- 

 ing tree with hmi,' lorluous lidiizoiital or 

 droopiii,^ and vcrv lliuniy liraiichcs. forming a 

 low hroad top, schloin more than 20 or 25 ft. 

 in heiglit. The short truid< rarely exceeds 10 

 or 12 in. in diameter and is rough with scaly 

 gray-brown bark. It is one of tiie most strik- 

 ing and ornamental representatives of its genus 

 on account of its tliick sliining dark-green 

 leaves. The luster of these is seldom tarnished 

 by insect or blight, and they preserve a fresh- 

 ness throughout the season wliich is unsur- 

 passed by the leaves of any other tree. The 

 ample bunches of handsome ilowers appear 

 after the leaves are fully grown, and then the 

 tree is an object of rare beauty. It is perhaps 

 more extensively planted both in this country 

 and in Europe for ornamental purposes than 

 any other American species, excepting perhaps 

 the Washington Haw, and it is also valued 

 for hedges. The name Newcastle Thorn has 

 been given to it on account of its abundant 

 use in hedges about Newcastle, Del. 



Its wood is heavy, hard, very fine-grained 



and suitable for tool handles.^ 



Lrarrx mostly obovato, 1-4 in. long, cuneate and 

 entire .it linso, acnto or rounded at apex, sharply 

 serrate-dentate, thick, coriaceous, lustrous dark 

 Rreen above, paler and prominently reticulate- 

 veined beneath. tui'nin<; to orange and scarlet in 

 autumn : petioles stout. Flnirrrx opening in .Tune 

 % in. in diametev in many-flowered glabrous 

 corymbs : calyx with narrow obconic tube and 

 linear-lanceolate entire or glandular-serrate lobes ; 

 stamens 10, anthers rose colored : styles usually 

 2. hairy at base. ^ Fruit maturing in October and 

 often remaining 'on the branches until sp' ing. 

 subglohose or sbort-ohlong, dull red with glaiicous 

 bloom, with dry flesh and usually 2 nutlets I'l in. 

 long, rounded at ends and ridged on the back.' 



1. A. W., IV, 85. 



2. For genus see p. 440, 



