17 



other species can be grown in Illinois which produce wood of greater 

 value, green ash plantations serve their best use as shelter belts. 



No products were estimated for black ash. The plantations are 

 uniformly in good condition and the rate of growth closely approxi- 

 mates that of white ash. The planfations are useful as shelter belts. 



OSAGE ORANGE. 



Only two plantations of Osage orange were examined in the State. 

 The species has been extensively planted for hedges, from which 

 posts are frequently cut. Osage orange, because of its durability, 

 has high value as a post timber. In computing the products of the 

 plantations first-class posts are assumed to be w r orth 15 cents each, 

 second-class posts 10 cents each, and third-class posts 5 cents each. 

 Since first-class Osage orange posts often bring 25 cents each and 

 sometimes sell as high as 50 cents, this valuation is very conservative. - 

 The refuse material left after making posts is figured as firewood at 

 $2 per cord. The cost of establishing a plantation is placed at $12 

 per acre. 



Osage orange grows well on almost every variety of soil through- 

 out Illinois, except in the extreme northern part, where, owing to 

 the severe winters, it winterkills to some extent. The great adapta- 

 bility of the tree to varying soil conditions and its extreme tenacity 

 under severe treatment, together with its general immunity from 

 insects, render it especially suited for planting on land where neither 

 catalpa nor larch will succeed. 



TABLE 9. Osage orange, bur oak, and mulberry. 



OSAGE OR\NGE. 



BUR OAK. 



RUSSIAN MULBERRY. 



[Cir. 81] 



