34 THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



feet. It is common below an elevation of 3,500 feet, but is most abundant and 

 reaches its largest size in cool, sheltered hollows on rich soil. The wood is soft 

 and yellow, and is extensively used in the manufacture of furniture and for 

 wood pulp. It seeds frequently and abundantly, but young trees are not very 

 common, as a delicate adjustment of light and moisture is required for regenera- 

 tion. It reproduces most freely on the partly shaded portions of old stands. It 

 is a tree of only medium rapidity of growth. 



Papaw {Asiniina triloba). The papaw is seldom more than 30 feet in height, 

 growing on rich, moist soil at low elevations. It is uncommon. 



Sassafras {Sassafras sassafras). The sassafras reaches a height of not more 

 than 40 feet and a diameter of 24 inches, and is common on dry, sandy soil. 

 The red wood is hard and fine grained, and takes a beautiful polish. It is 

 sometimes used in the manufacture of furniture. It reproduces freely in old 

 fields on stiff soil, by seed and suckers. 



Witch-hazel {Hamamelis mrginiana). The witch-hazel is a small tree, about 

 15 feet in height, or generally a slender shrub. It is common on moist soils up 

 to an elevation of 4,000 feet. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely. 

 Extract of witch hazel is distilled from its bark. 



Sweet gum {Liquidamhar styraciflua).. The sweet gum is found in this area 

 along only the larger streams at a low elevation. It becomes a tree 110 feet in 

 height and 36 inches in diameter. The wood is red, hard, and fine grained, and 

 is used for crates, shipping boxes, tobacco boxes, etc., and for flooring and furni- 

 ture. It seeds regularly, and seedlings are not uncommon near old trees. 



Sycamore {Platamis occidentalis). The sycamore is a large tree, often 110 

 feet in height and 36 inches in diameter, common along the larger streams. The 

 wood is hard and firm with a beautiful grain, and is used for tobacco boxes 

 and to some extent in the manufacture of furniture. The species seeds often 

 and reproduces freely. 



Crah apple {Pyrus coronaria). The crab apple is a small tree 15 to 20 feet 

 in height, common in old fields and open woods. The wood is hard and tough 

 and is used to some extent in turnery. It seeds abundantly and reproduces 

 freely. 



Warrmoleaf crab apple {Pyrus angiistifoUa). This tree occurs with the pre- 

 ceding and its wood is very similar. 



Mountain ash {Pyrus americana). The mountain ash is seldom more than 

 30 feet in height, and is found around the summits of the higher mountains. 

 The timber is not used. 



Service tree {Amelam.chier canadensis). This tree, seldom more than 46 feet 

 in height and 20 inches in diameter, is common above an elevation of 2,000 feet. 



