Although growing over a wide range of territory, the area for 

 planting is, in general, limited to the region westward from Indiana 

 to the eastern portions of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas, and 

 southward along the moist slopes of the Appalachians. 



HABITS AND GROWTH. 



The black cherry will grow r fairly well on dry situations, but it is 

 only in the moist, well-drained, rich soils of mild climates that the 

 maximum development is reached. The tree thrives on bottom lands, 

 yet makes a moderate growth on sandy or rocky upland if the soil is 

 penetrable. In the Middle West it has had variable success as a for- 

 est tree, though on the whole the results have been encouraging. The 

 tree can endure moderate shade. 



The rate of growth is largely dependent upon climatic and soil 

 conditions. Under the most favorable conditions it is a rapid-growing 

 tree, while in the northern part of its range or in unfavorable soil 

 the growth is rather slow. Under average conditions in eastern Ne- 

 braska a diameter of 6 inches and a height of 23 feet have been at- 

 tained in ten years. However, it is not known how long this rate of 

 growth may be maintained. In general, the black cherry in forest 

 plantations may be considered as a rapid-growing, short-lived tree. 



It has comparatively few enemies. The forest tent caterpillar 

 often devours the foliage, and a bark beetle may sometimes kill the 

 tree. A fungus known as " black knot " causes unsightly swellings 

 on the branches and greatly disfigures the tree. 



Injuries by insects should be reported to the Bureau of Entomol- 

 ogy, United States Department of Agriculture. 



ECONOMIC USES. 



The wood is fairly light, strong, and hard, with a close, fine grain, 

 which takes a beautiful polish. The mature tree has brown or red 

 heartwood and yellow sapwood. The heartwood is the valuable 

 portion of the tree and has been so extensively used in cabinetmaking 

 and interior decorating that the supply of cherry timber is greatly 

 reduced. 



The black cherry is well adapted for mixed planting throughout 

 the Middle West. It serves a useful purpose as a nurse tree in forest 

 plantations and where luxuriant foliage is desired. In the region 

 of its best development it does not hold a high place, because of the 

 presence of more valuable species. In general, however, it is too 

 short lived and of too limited economic value to be recommended for 

 extensive planting. 



[Cir. 94] 



