34 REFORESTATION IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



Growth is not very rapid, but is extremely persistent, the tree 

 living to an age of two hundred to two hundred and twenty-five 

 years, in full vigor. Timber trees are produced in about one 

 hundred years. 



The wood is used for vehicle construction, handles of axes, 

 etc. It is the strongest of the hickories except pignut, and 

 should be favored over that species except on dry soils and 

 where there is no market for the nuts. 



Black Locust (Robina pseudacacia). 



The black locust is a more southern species, but will grow in 

 Massachusetts, and is recommended where a quick-growing tree 

 is desired. It demands plenty of light and a mineral soil, and 

 produces its best wood at forty to fifty years, reaching only some 

 60 to 70 feet in height. The seed is borne in pods, and if left 

 in them preserves its germinating power for several years. 

 Seedlings grow best when raised in the nursery for one year. 



The wood is heavy, exceedingly hard and strong, very dur- 

 able in contact with the soil, and is used in ship building, turn- 

 ery and construction. It is preferred for tree nails, and makes 

 good railroad ties. 



White Ash (Fraxinus americana). 



This tree prefers to grow on rich, moist bottom lands, where 

 it will be found mixed with elm, basswood, yellow birch and 

 maple. It will grow in a wet swamp and equally on dry, ex- 

 posed ridges, so that it may be said to be versatile in habit. 



It is quite tolerant when young, but when too much shaded 

 its diameter growth is very slow. 



Some seed is produced each year, but abundantly only once 

 in three years. It is quite easy to collect, and the tree is there- 

 fore one used quite extensively in forest planting. 



The rate of growth is rapid when compared with that of 

 most of the associated hardwoods, but it varies considerably 

 according to conditions of moisture and situation. Post tim- 

 ber may be obtained from it in from fifteen to twenty years. 



White ash is attacked by a number of fungous diseases, which 

 injure the leaves and flowers, but not sufficiently to kill the 

 trees. It has the distinction of being the only deciduous tree 



