TEEE SPECIES. 39 



described in size and quality of wood. It is confined to the Blue Ridge, or the 

 region near there. 



Basswood {T'llia americana). The basswood reaches a height of more than 

 100 feet and a diameter of 36 inches. It is confined to streams at the base of 

 the western slope of the Smoky Mountains, but is by no means common. The 

 wood is used with that of the linn without distinction. 



Dogwood {Cornus florida). The dogwood forms a small tree, seldom 30 feet 

 in height and 12 inches in diameter. It is common beneath the shade of other 

 trees on fertile soil, below an elevation of 3,000 feet. The wood is hard, heavy, 

 and strong, and is used for shuttle blocks and a varietv of mechanical purposes. 

 The species seeds abundantly and reproduces freely. The rate of growth is slow. 



Blue cornel {Cornus alterni folia). This is a slender tree 25 feet in height. 

 It is common along cold mountain streams. 



Swamp cornel {Cornus sericea). This is a bushy tree 20 feet in height. It 

 is common along the larger streams. 



Black gum {Nyssa sylvatica). The black gum sometimes reaches 110 feet in 

 height and 36 inches in diameter, but is generallv much smaller. It is common 

 along streams at low elevations and on dry slopes at high elevations. The wood 

 is hard and tough, but not durable, and is little used except as rails for tramways 

 in logging. The species seeds abundantly' and reproduces freely. It grows rapidly. 



Scjurivood {Oooyderidrum' arhoreum). The sour wood forms a tree 80 feet in 

 height and 18 inches in diameter. It is common on dr}' soil below an elevation 

 of 4,000 feet. The red wood is hard and fine grained, and takes a good polish. 

 It is used to some extent in the manufacture of furniture. It seeds abundantly 

 and reproduction is prolific. The rate of growth is fair. 



Persimm-on, {Diospyros virginiana). -The persimmon reaches 40 feet in height 

 and 18 inches in diameter. It is found in fields and waste places. The hard, 

 tough wood is used for shuttle blocks, shoe lasts, insulator pins, etc. The species 

 seeds freely and reproduces well, especially on old fields. 



Sweetleaf {Symplocos tinctoria). The sweetleaf is a small tree, seldom more 

 than 20 feet in height, which grows on dr}' soil. The bark yields a yellow dye. 



Peawood or hell-tree {Mohrodendron carolinum). This species is common 

 along streams, where it is seldom 70 feet in height, but in the rich, damp hollows 

 of the Black and Smoky mountains it becomes 100 feet in height and 30 inches 

 in diameter. The reddish wood is hard, fine grained, and takes a good polish, 

 and on the western slopes of the Smoky Mountains is sawed and sold as cherry 

 The species seeds frequently and freely, and reproduces well. The rate of 

 growth is fair. 



Black a^h {Fraxinus nigra). The black ash is not more than 30 feet in 



