294 BLACK CHERRY 



tion, care should be taken in selecting ground for its cul- 

 tivation, notwithstanding the fact that it will grow in many 

 soils and that its botanical range seems to be great. Old 

 residents can still be found to tell where it once grew to 

 perfection, and no mistake can be made if such locations 

 are chosen. When planted in the forest there should be a 

 crowded stand, either with its own or other species of equally 

 rapid growth. It lives to a greater age when so surrounded 

 than when out in the open. It is naturally associated with 

 Beech, Oak, Hickory, Maple, Birch, and Yellow Poplar, 

 but it is a more rapid grower in early life than any except 

 the Poplar. 1 



In suitable situations and when cared for, there can be 

 few more valuable trees found ; but with all its good quali- 

 ties it has some drawbacks. One is a caterpillar that makes 

 its nests in the branches and sometimes entirely denudes 

 the tree of its leaves. Another is what is called " gum 

 specks." These are deposits of gum in the wood which some- 

 times disfigure it to a slight extent. When wounded the 

 sapwood will exude a gum something like gum arabic. It 

 has bitter aromatic bark and leaves. These contain the 

 well-known poison called prussic acid. Cattle have been 



1 The United States Forest Service (Notes on Forest Trees suitable for 

 planting in the United States Black Cherry) gives the following account of 

 the growth of two plantations : 



" In a block planted in 1878, containing 196 White Ash, 27 Catalpa, and 

 7 Black Cherry trees, the Cherry, when measured in 1901, was the largest, 

 both in diameter and height. The following was the average size of the 

 trees: 



Average diameter at 1 foot from the ground 8.4 inches 



Average diameter at 7 feet from the ground . 6.4 inches 



Average height 34.0 feet 



Average clear length of bole 19.0 feet 



" In another block containing 149 Black Cherry and 187 Catalpa trees, 

 the latter were entirely dominated by the Cherry. The average size of the 

 Cherry was : 



Average diameter at 1 foot from the gronnd 6.6 inches 



Average diameter at 7 feet from the ground 4.0 inches 



Average height 32.0 feet 



Average clear length of bole 19.0 feet" 



As the Catalpa is a notoriously fast growing tree, it would seem that 

 planting Black Cherry in pure stands would be advisable. 



