70 STUDIES OF TREES 



BLUE BEECH OR HORNBEAM (Carpinus caroliniana) 



Distinguishing characters : The fluted or muscular effect 

 of its trunk will distinguish the tree at a glance, Fig. 54. 



Leaf: Doubly serrated; otherwise the same as that of 

 ironwood. 



Form and size: A low-spreading tree with branches 

 arching out at various angles, forming a flattened head 

 with a fine, slender spray. 



Range: Very common in the eastern United States. 



Soil and location : Grows in low wet woods. 



Enemies: None of importance. 



Value for planting: Its artistic branching and curious 

 trunk give the tree an important place in park planting. 



Commercial value: None. 



Other characters: The bark is smooth and bluistT gray 

 in color. 



Comparisons: The blue beech or hornbeam is often con-" 

 fused with the ironwood or hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) . ' 

 The ironwood, however, has a characteristic bark that peels 

 in perpendicular, short, thin segments, often loose at the 

 ends. See Fig. 55. This is entirely different from the close, 

 smooth, and fluted bark of the blue beech. The color of 

 the bark in the ironwood is brownish, while that of the 

 blue beech is bluish-gray. The buds of the ironwood 

 are greenish with brown tips, while the bud of the blue 

 beech shows no green whatever. 



HACKBERRY (Celtis occidentalis) 



Distinguishing characters: The tree may be told 

 readily from other trees by the corky tubercles on the 

 bark of the lower portion of the trunk. See Fig. 56. 



