YELLOW-WOOD 



(Cladrastis Luted) 



THIS wood's color is evidently responsible for its names yellow ash, 

 yellow locust, and yellow-wood in Tennessee, North Carolina, and 

 Kentucky, but no reason is offered for the name gopherwood by which it 

 is known in some parts of Tennessee. The botanical name is based on 

 the brittleness of the twigs. It is the only species of the genus, and it is 

 not known to grow anywhere, except by planting, outside of Kentucky, 

 Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina. 



It occurs in an area not much exceeding 60,000 square miles, and it 

 is not abundant in that area. It prefers limestone ridges and slopes, and 

 does best where the soil is fertile. It often overhangs the banks of 

 mountain streams, and is most abundant and of largest size in the 

 vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee, where a few trees have reached a diam- 

 eter of three or four feet and a height of fifty or sixty. A diameter of 

 eighteen or twenty-four inches is a good average. 



The tree's habit of dividing six or seven feet from the ground into 

 two or more stems is responsible for the scarcity of trunks suitable for 

 saw timber, even in localities where trees of large size are found. How- 

 ever, an occasional trunk develops a shapely form. It goes to sawmills 

 so seldom that it is never mentioned in statistics of lumber cut or wood- 

 utilization. 



Most people who are acquainted with this tree, know it as planted 

 stock in parks and yards where it is a favorite on account of its flowers. 

 The bloom may properly be described as rare from two viewpoints. 

 The beauty of its large clusters of white flowers differs from those of all 

 associated trees; and it seldom blooms. One year of plenty is generally 

 followed by several lean years. Those who plant the tree understand 

 this, and feel amply repaid for the long wait, when the flowering year 

 arrives. The planted tree is often known as virgilia, that being the name 

 under which nurseries sell it. Flowers appear about the middle of June, 

 in clusters a foot or more in length. It is claimed, but with what correct- 

 ness cannot at present be stated, that the odor of flowers of different 

 trees varies greatly, being faint with some, and strong and luxurious with 

 others. 



The leaves are compound, but have no resemblance to those of 

 locust and the acacias. They are eight or twelve inches long, with five 

 or seven leaflets. In autumn before falling they change to a clear yellow, 

 but adhere to the branches until rather late in the season. The fruit, 

 which consists of small pods hanging in clusters, is ripe in September. 



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