ilANDHOOK OF TrEES OF THE jSToRTIIERN StATES AND CaNADA. 3G3 



Tho Sour Cum in tlio forest occasionally at- 

 tain the height of SO or KUt ft., witli trtnik 3 to 

 5 ft. in diameter. Wlicn isolated from tlic 

 influence of other trees its habit of growth is 

 picturesque, as it sends out many s|)rea(ling 

 pendulous small tough branches, forming a 

 rounded or cylindrical head. It inhabits gc>n- 

 erally swamps and wet lowlands, in com pa y 

 with the Red Maple, Swamp White Oak, Bl uk 

 Ash, Water Ash and other water-loving tre^s, 

 but on the slopes of the Alleghany Mountains 

 is also found on well drained uplands. Its 

 clear bright green foliage is an attractive 

 feature in summer, and its autumnal tints, of 

 bright red and purple, are scarcely surpassed 

 by the tints of any of the trees about it. 



The wood of the Sour Gum is rather light 

 and soft, of tine grain, tough and difficult to 

 split and work, owing to its contorted fiber. 

 These qualities, however, make it particularly 

 valuable for certain special uses; as for wheel- 

 hubs, rollers, wooden-shoes and many other 

 articles of wooden-ware, and it is extensively 

 used, when cut into thin lumber, for fruit- 

 boxes and crates. 2 



T.rnvrf! oliovatp-ohlonK to oval, 2-5 in. lonj;. 

 ciinoatc or sonictimes rounded at base, acute or 

 acuminate at apex, entin-, pubescent at first but 

 finally thick, firm and lustrous dark green almve 

 and more or less pnlicscent Ix'ucath. Fltiin/rn ap- 

 pparing when the leaves arc marly full trrnwn <iti 

 slender pubescent [x'duiKles from i.j to nearly '2 

 in. long, the staminate in many-llowered and tlie 

 pistillate in few-flowered heads. Fruit rii)enini; in 

 October, 2-3 or more in each cluster, ol)lons;. blue- 

 black with thin .iuicy sour flesh and ovoid or 

 oblong: slij;htly flattened stone having 10-12 low 

 longitudinal ribs.' 



1. Syn. y'l/ssa multiflora Wang. 



2. A. W., I, 0. 



.{. For genus see p. 4.")0. 



