620 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



ceaainty of commercial return from nuts alone which 

 would be comparable with that of many other crops 

 which already are upon a well-established commercial 

 basis in the same parts of the country. 



With reference to two of the foreign species of nuts 

 which have been introduced, the situation is quite differ- 



A MONSTER PECAX TREE 



This tree, growing in the rich alluvial soil of Louisiana, near the banks 

 of the Mississippi River, thirty miles south of Baton Rouge, measured 

 18 feet 3 inches in circumference at breast height when photographed 

 in 1909. The size and condition of this tree and of hundreds of others 

 of nearly equal size in the same section should dispel any fears that the 

 species IS not long-lived, or that it is not a large grower. A larger tree, 

 measuring 23 feet 9 inches in circumference at breast height, was photo- 

 graphed near Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, in 1909. Avenues of such trees 

 along the Lincoln Highway would be exceedingly impressive and appro- 

 priate. 



ent. In order of commercial importance of the nuts now 

 grown in this country, two foreign species, the Persian 

 (English) walnut and the almond stand second and 

 third, respectively, the pecan, which is an American spe- 

 cies only, being first. With these exceptions, the foreign 

 introductions are all in the experimental or test stage, 

 and while possibly the European hazel (filbert) may 

 now be making a strong bid for commercial recognition 

 in the northwest, and the pistache in parts of California, 



neither species can yet be recommended for general 

 planting. 



The proper place for such partially improved species, 

 as are most of the native nut producers at the present 

 time, is that in which they may be used for more than the 

 single purpose of nut production. Most of the species 

 of the botanical family Juglandaceae to which the 

 walnuts and hickories belong, are slow growers, and as 

 sucli, are objectionable to the average planter. In answer 

 to this, it may be said that among trees, slowness of 

 growth is invariably associated with longevity of tree 

 and its value when cut as timber. Also, when due |)ains 

 are taken, it is possible to select species which are ex- 



CALIFORNIA DLACK WALNUT 



These trees are used for street planting on the Pacific Coast This species 

 is of little value for nut producing purposes, but is very valuable for its 

 timber. It makes an excellent stock upon which to graft the Persian wal- 

 nut. So long as nut trees are in a healthy condition they are not neces- 

 sarily too large for top-working. 



ceedingly satisfactory in the landscape. Several of the 

 accompanying photographs illustrate the individual 

 beauty of selected nut trees and some show their effective 

 use in the landscape. 



Foresters are now advocating the planting of trees in 



