36 THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



seldom 20 feet in height, with a short trunk. It occurs on dry hills, especially 

 along the Blue Ridge. 



Baynton thorn {Cratseg^m hoyntoni). This tree is seldom 20 feet in height. 

 It is common on dry hills, especially in the valley of French Broad River. 



Wild plum {Primus americana). The wild plum is a small tree, which is 

 common in open woods and fields below an elevation of 4,000 feet. Its edible 

 fruit is borne often and in abundance. The wood has no uses. It is the parent 

 stock of many of the cultivated plums. 



Chickasaw plum {Primus angusti folia). This is a small tree nmch like the 

 last-described species. It is the parent of many cultivated varieties. 



Fire cherry {Prunus pennsylvanica). This species becomes 40 feet in height 

 and more than 12 inches in diameter. It occurs in cold, damp woods around the 

 high mountains, and often forms extensive groves of pure growth on burned 

 spruce lands, where it prepares the soil for another growth of spruce. The wood 

 is soft and brittle. Seed are borne abundantly and frequently. The growth is 

 rapid. 



Wild cJierry {Primus serothia). Along streams at a low elevation the wild 

 cherry is small, but on moist land at high elevations it reaches a height of 100 

 feet or more and a diameter of 36 inches. The red wood is hard, takes a 

 fine polish, and is extensiveh^ used for interior finish, and was used for furniture 

 until it became too rare. . The rate of growth is rather slow. It seeds often, 

 but young growth at high elevations is uncommon. The best trees have generall}' 

 been removed. 



Redhud {Cercis canadensis). The redbud is a small tree about 15 feet in 

 height. It occurs along the edges of woods, or on rocky banks of streams, 

 seldom above an elevation of 2,000 feet. The wood is not used. 



Honey locust {Gleditsia triacanthos). The honey locust is a tree reaching a 

 height of 60 to 70 feet and a diameter of 24 inches. It was introduced into this 

 region from middle Tennessee, but Is thoroughly naturalized and propagates 

 freely in old fields and waste places. The wood is not used, though it is tough, 

 strong, and durable. 



Coffeetree {Gymnocladns dioicus). This is seldom more than 40 feet in height. 

 It occurs in fertile valleys at the foot of the western slope of the Smok}' 

 Mountains. The wood is not much used. It reproduces well. 



Yellow-wood {Cladrastis hitea). This species is seldom more than 80 feet in 

 height and 12 inches in diameter. It occurs in rich hollows at low elevations at 

 the southwestern end of the Appalachians. The hard, yellow wood takes a fine 

 polish. 



Lfjcust {Rohinia paeudacacia). The locust is a blender tree, sometimes 100 



