Handbook of Trees of the Xortherx States axd Caxai>a. 120 



This curious and iiileiestiiig Aider is a 

 small tree, occasionally attaining the height 

 of 30 ft., with narrow toj) and slender branches 

 and smooth-harked trunk .') or 6 in. in di- 

 ameter. It is very distinct from all other 

 Alders in several resi)ects. Its bright glossy 

 green foliage is in strong contrast to the dull 

 green of the other Alders, and its period of 

 blossoming, instead of l)eing wiien the trees are 

 leafless in early spring, as with the other 

 species, is not until autumn: Then the effect 

 of its golden catkins and handsome foliage 

 together is very pleasing and gives the tree a 

 peculiar ornamental value. Quite as different, 

 too, as this tree is from the other Alders in 

 its foliage and period of flowering is it in its 

 distribution. The Alders are general!}' species 

 of wide distribution, but this is limited to two 

 small areas, one near the sea coast on the 

 Delaware and Maryland peninsula and the 

 other far inland on the banks of the Red 

 River in Indian Territory. 



Its wood is light, a cubic foot weighing 



31.14 lbs., soft and witli numerous large 



medullary rays. 



Leaves ovate-oblong to obovate, wcdge-shapod 

 at base, usually acute or acumiuate at apex, re- 

 motely and sharply serrate, scurfy pubescent when 

 young but at maturity dark green and very lust- 

 rous, pale and minutely glandular punctate be- 

 neath. Flowers expanding in September, the 

 staminate aments in racemes, lM>-2i^ In. long 

 from the a.xils of the upper leaves ; the pistillate 

 usually solitary from the axils of lower leaves. 

 Fruit: strobile about % in. long with tbinnish 

 crcnate-lobed scales and wingless oblong-obovate 

 seeds liberated late in autumn of the year subse- 

 (|uent to fertilization.' 



1. For genus see p. 420. 



