UMBKELLA TREE. 



37 



and in central Arkansas, reaching its best development in northern 

 Alabama. 



In North Carolina, where it attains a height of 15 to 30 feet, it is 

 found in Lincoln county and to some extent on the French Broad 

 river about Asheville. (Fig. 3.) 



It bears seed in large quantities at frequent intervals. Few years 

 pass without some mast. Young seedlings are, hovi^ever, uncom- 

 mon in the dense woods. Young trees sprout vigorously when 

 cut. 



The leaves are very large, from 20 to 30 inches long and 9 to 10 

 inches broad, and are clustered at the summit of the branches. 

 The white fragrant flowers are also large, and the bright rose-col- 

 ored fruit is broadly egg-shaped and 2J to 3 inches long. The 

 large winter-bnds are covered with thick silky white hairs. There 

 are strong lateral and numerous fibrous roots. 



The wood is hard, close-grained, light, and not strong; light 

 brown in color; the thick sapwood light yellow. It has no com- 

 mercial value. 



Magnolia tripetala, Linnsus. 



(umbrella tree.) 



A small tree, with irregular branches, and smooth, light gray 

 bark marked with numerous small blister like excrescences, reach- 

 ing a height of 10 feet and a diameter of 18 inches. 



