STUDIES OF TREES IN WINTER 



downy, and are covered with reddish brown 

 hairs. The inner bark is very mucilaginous. 



Country boys know the slippery elm for its 

 sweet mucilage, just as they know the shag- 

 bark for its nuts, the sassafras for its aromatic 

 roots, and the spruce for its gum ; and this 

 mucilaginous characteristic is a certain means 

 of determining the tree. 



In form it is less drooping than the white 

 elm and it is also much smaller. The hairy 

 buds give the whole tree a reddish color in 

 spring, and from this it probably takes the 

 name of red elm; the slippery elm is a more 

 characteristic name however, as few trees have 

 such a slippery inner bark. These hairy brown 

 buds are among the prettiest to be found on 

 any trees in winter. Compared with the smooth, 

 hard buds on many trees, they are what soft, 

 long-haired Angoras are to ordinary cats. 



The wood is strong, hard, and close-grained 

 and is used for making posts, railroad ties, and 

 agricultural implements. The inner bark is 

 used for imflammatory diseases and externally 

 for poultices. 



The specific name, pubescens (down or soft 

 hair), refers to the pubescence on the buds and 

 leaves and along the recent shoots. 



The slippery elm is found in certain local- 



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