72 HAND-BOOK OF TREE-PLANTING. 



Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, but is found more 

 or less throughout the Southern and Middle 

 States, and in the lower portion of the Western. 

 How far toward the north it can be successfully 

 cultivated, remains to be proved by experiment. 

 Hitherto it has been classed among the orna- 

 mental rather than the useful trees, its large, fan- 

 like leaves and showy clusters of flowers, some- 

 what like those of the horse-chestnut, making it 

 a very attractive object on the lawn or by the 

 street-side. In its native region, however, it has 

 had a reputation for great durability, especially 

 when exposed alternately to the influences of 

 dryness and moisture. It has consequently been 

 much in request for posts for gates and fences, 

 and specimens have been exhibited which have 

 been thus used for a great number of years 

 without showing signs of decay to any consid- 

 erable extent. The tree is said to have been a 

 favorite with the Indians for the construction of 

 canoes, because of its durable quality when ex- 

 posed as canoes are, and because of its not being 

 liable to crack. Latterly it has been much 

 sought by the railroad companies for ties, on ac- 

 count of its durability. It has been so much in 



