424 



AMERICAN FOREST TREES 



where in deep swamps intermediate between the extremes of its range. The uses of 

 this wood are few, because it is scarce, and the trees are difficult of access on account 

 of being nearly always surrounded by water. Lumbermen who operate in swamps 

 occasionally bring out a few ash logs with cypress and tupelo. No tests seem to 

 have been made of the wood. Trees are sometimes 120 feet high and three in diam- 

 eter above the swelled bases. 



WATER ASH (Fraxinus caroliniand)' is much lighter in weight than any other 

 American ash, and the wood is also lighter in color. It is weaker and less elastic 

 than any other, and is lower in fuel value. It weighs less than white pine. It grows 

 in deep swamps from southern Virginia to Florida and westward in swamps to Texas. 

 Some have confused it with pumpkin ash, but the two are quite distinct. This tree 

 is also called poppy ash. The leaves are from seven to twelve inches long, with five or 

 seven leaflets which are much blunter than most other ash leaves. The seeds are 

 nearly in the center of the broad, long wing, and are better flyers than most ash seeds. 

 The tree seldom exceeds forty feet in height, or twelve inches in diameter. It is not 

 known that the wood is ever used. Its scarcity will keep it from becoming important, 

 though its uncommon lightness may lead to its employment for certain purposes. 



BILTMORE ASH (Fraxinus biltmoreand) is named from Biltmore, N. C., where 

 the tree attains its best development, a height of forty or fifty feet and a foot or less in 

 diameter. Its range extends from northern West Virginia southward along the foot- 

 hills of the Appalachian mountains to Georgia, Alabama, and middle Tennessee. The 

 seed wings are slender, and only slightly narrowed at the end. The leaf is ten or 

 twelve inches long, with seven or nine leaflets. The twigs of young trees are hairy. 

 An occasional log doubtless goes to sawmills, but no report has been made of uses of 

 the wood. 



FLORIDA ASH (Fraxinus floridana) is a deep swamp tree, thirty or forty feet 

 high, and a few inches in diameter. It is found in the valley of St. Mary's river, 

 southern Georgia, and along the lower Apalachicola river, Florida. The compound 

 leaves are five or more inches long with three or five leaflets. The seeds are small but 

 their wings are wide and long. No report has been made concerning the quality 

 of the wood, nor has it been used, as far as known. The supply is very small. 



