SEP 2 1 1914 



Division of Forestry 

 University of California 



Issued April 24, 190^ 



United States Department of Agriculture, 



FOREST SERVICE CIRCULAR 94. 

 GIFFORD PINCHOT, Forester. 



FOREST PLANTING LEAFLET. 



BLACK CHERRY (Primus serotina). 



FORM AND SIZE. 



When forest grown, the black cherry has a long, slender trunk sur- 

 mounted by a comparatively small, open crown, composed of large, 

 irregular branches. The trunk is often free from branches for a dis- 

 tance of TO feet. When grown in the open, the croAvn becomes more 

 spreading, but seldom massive like that of the oaks and chestnut. 

 The tree varies greatly in size, depending on the region and locality 

 in which it grows. In New England it is of medium size, from 30 to 

 50 feet in height, with a diameter of from 15 to 24 inches. In the 

 Middle States a height of 60 feet and a diameter of 2J feet is often 

 attained. The best development, however, is made on moist residual 

 soil of the upper slopes of the southern Alleghenies, where a height of 

 90 feet and a diameter of 4 feet are not uncommon. The root system 

 is extensive, especially on dry, sterile soil, where the taproot goes deep 

 in search of moisture. Numerous surface roots are also developed. 



RANGE. 



The black cherry is common throughout the eastern half of the 

 United States. The natural range is from Nova Scotia to Florida, 

 west to Texas, and north through Indian Territory, the eastern por- 

 tions of Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. In the northern part 

 of the Lake States its distribution is confined to shaded lake shores 

 and banks of streams. 



The trees associated with the black cherry include many of the 

 common hardwoods, such as the beech, birches, oaks, hickories, black 

 walnut, and maples. 



28387 No. 9407 M 



