88 



STUDIES OK 'I'lJEKS 



chambers as shown in Fig. 71. The Inid is dark gray and 

 satiny. The bark is dark brown and deeply ridged and the 

 fruit is the familiar round walnut. 



Form and size: A tall tree with a spreading crown 

 composed of stout branches. In the 

 open it grows very symmetrically. 

 Range: Eastern United States. 

 Soil and location: Thc^ black wal- 

 nut prefers a deep, rich, fertile soil and 

 requires a great deal of light. 



Enemies: The tree is a favorite of 

 many caterpillars. 



Value for planting: It forms a 

 ])cautiful spreading tree on open ground, 

 l)ut is not planted to anj^ extent because 

 it is hard to transplant. It grows slowly 

 unless the soil is very deep and rich, 

 develops its leaves late in the spring 

 and sheds them early in the fall and 

 produces its fruit in great profusion. 



Commercial value: The wood is 

 heavy, strong, of chocolate brown color 

 and capable of taking a fine polish. It 

 is used for cabinet making and interior 

 finish of houses. The older the tree, 

 usually, the better the wood, and the 

 consumption of the species in the past 

 has been so heavy that it is becoming 

 rare. The European varieties which are frequently planted 

 in America as substitutes for the native species yield 

 better nuts, but the American species produces better W'ood. 

 Other characters : The fruit is a large round nut about 

 two inches in diameter, covered with a smooth husk which 



Fig. 70.— Bark of 



the Mockernut 



Hickory. 



