292 BLACK CHERRY 



As it was found growing on rich alluvial soils and fertile 

 slopes, it suffered destruction in early days for the same 

 reason that Black Walnut did, it was in the way, and 

 like that tree it was burned or split into rails. It was soon 

 discovered, however, that it was one of the best woods for 

 furniture. In early times it was used more for that purpose 

 than Black Walnut, and to-day it stands second for such 

 uses only to that tree among our native woods, while in the 

 minds of many it is not deemed inferior ; but like that tree 

 it is close on to extinction. 



It thrives best in a moist, rich soil, although it will grow 

 quite well on a dry and loamy one which is neither fertile 

 nor moist. To aid its growth in such soils, it has a large 

 root system which runs deep into the ground, and it like- 

 wise throws out large and long Literal roots near the sur- 

 face. In soils adapted to its best development, it is a rapid 

 grower in early life, but as age advances its annual accre- 

 tions grow less and less, even under the most favorable 

 surroundings. Unless the situation is suitable, it soon be- 

 gins to show signs of declining vigor and is then not a 

 long-lived tree, but when the soil and surroundings are ac- 

 ceptable, it has been known to reach three hundred years 

 of age. It was nowhere to be found in great abundance, 

 but was mixed with other broadleaf trees, with occasionally 

 a grove of a score or more of its own kind within a radius 

 of a few hundred feet. 



The wood is light, easily worked, fine-grained and strong 

 in young trees, but somewhat softer and weaker in old ones, 

 straight-grained, with little difference between spring and 

 summer wood, and with small and inconspicuous medullary 

 rays. The heartwood is reddish brown, with thin, yellowish 

 sapwood which seldom consists of over ten annual layers. 

 It does not warp or split in seasoning, and " stays to its 

 place " when put in trying situations. It takes glue well, 

 and has a fine satiny finish and grows darker and richer 

 in color with age. Its use is mainly confined to furniture, the 

 interior of passenger cars, interior woodwork generally, and 



