AMERICAN FOREST TREES 



beyond the Mississippi. It is most common and of largest size on the 

 western slopes of the southern Appalachian mountains and in the basin 

 of the lower Ohio river. Its favorite habitat is on low hills, or near 

 streams and swamps, in rich and moderately well drained soil. 



The hickories have long tap roots, and they do best in soils which 

 the tap roots can penetrate, going down like a radish. The root system 

 makes most hickories difficult trees to transplant. Early in life they do 

 a large part of their growing under ground, and when that growth is 

 interrupted, as it must be in transplanting, the young tree seldom re- 

 covers. Those who would grow hickories for timber, nuts, or as orna- 

 ments, should plant the seed where the tree is expected to remain. Most 

 of the planting of hickory in the forest is done by squirrels which bury 

 nuts, with the apparent expectation of digging them up later. Occasion- 

 ally one is missed, and a young tree starts. 



The uses of this wood are typical of all the other hickories. Han- 

 dles and light vehicles consume most of it. The markets are in all parts 

 of this country, and in manufacturing centers in many foreign lands. 



