622 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



NATIVE PECAN TREES IN A MEADOW 



These give shade for stock and yield a nut crop at the same time. Not infrequently such trees bear 

 a bushel or more of nuts worth at least ten cents a pound, or a minimum of $4 00 a bushel. It is not un- 

 usual for single trees in the open to yield two bushels or more of nuts which readily bring twelve to fifteen 

 cents a pound. 



trees of most species are both too small and too 

 short-lived to be suitable for highway planting. With 

 nut trees, the situation is entirely different. The native 

 walnuts, most species of hickories and the American 

 beech are large-growing and long-lived trees. In addi- 

 tion, they are capable of withstanding severe tempera- 

 tures ; they are tough and strong and not liable to in- 

 jury by storm or while being climbed by ordinary per- 

 sons ; and they readily adapt themselves to a wide range 

 of soil, moisture and climatic conditions. 



Ordinary species of nut trees cannot be recommended 

 for the dual purpose of timber and nut production, as, 

 for the former purpose, the trees should be planted 

 close together in order to induce length and straightness 

 of trunk with a minimum of top or bearing surface, 

 while for the latter, they should be planted in the open 

 and given space for the maximum development of bear- 

 ing surface and a minimum length of trunk. The great 

 demand for hickory in the making of axles, wheels and 

 other vehicle parts and handles for tools, and for walnut 

 in the manufacture of furniture and gun stocks makes 

 it not only possible but common practice to use these 

 woods in short lengths. Therefore, both species planted 

 along the highways and in other waste places might 

 profitably be converted into timber upon reaching ma- 

 turity, if their crops of nuts should prove to be of small 

 commercial value. 



The butternut, /. cinerca, is less a symmetrical grower 

 than are the black walnuts. The timber is less valuable 

 and the nuts are cracked with greater difficulty. Never- 

 theless, it is the most hardy of any native species of 

 Juglans. Its kernels are rich in quality and of a flavor 

 more pleasing to some persons than that of any other 

 nut. Cracking the native butternut and marketing the 



kernels affords the rural peo- 

 ple in many sections a fairly 

 profitable means of employ- 

 ment during the winter 

 months. Its native range ex- 

 tends farther north than does 

 that of either the eastern black 

 walnut or the shagbark hick- 

 ory, Hicoria ovata, and is 

 considerably beyond that of 

 the shellbark hickory, H. la- 

 ciniosa. Therefore, in view 

 of its hardiness, and the merit 

 of its kernels, it is well worthy 

 of consideration for planting 

 in the most northern parts of 

 the country. 



The black walnut of the 

 Southwest, /. rupestris is one 

 of the sturdy, graceful and 

 durable species of that section. 

 The nuts are seldom of suffi- 

 cient size to be of commercial 

 black walnuts, /. californica 



value. The California 

 and /. hindsii, fall into about the same class as does 

 this species in respect to the points mentioned. So far 

 as the planter is concerned, the main differences are 

 those of adaptability to different sections. Under favor- 



A PERSIAN (ENGLISH) WALNUT 



This particular tree, by a residence on Wisconsin avenue, Washington, 

 D. C, is very satisfactory as a producer of shade and ornamental effect, 

 and in addition, it yields fair crops of nuts. Similar trees arc by no 

 means uncommon from Washington northward to Connecticut and west 

 to Southern Michigan, 



