FOEEST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 



357 



are one-third to one-half an inch in diameter (fig. 167); the fruit" ripens 

 in late summer or early autumn, when it is sweet, with an astringent after- 

 taste, from which comes the name " choke cherry-" The fruit is greedily eaten 

 by birds, to which, it is believed, the wide general distribution of the species 



Fig. 167. — rrunus dcmissa. 



is due. Wood, pale yellowish brown, fine-grained, firm, but brittle, with a 

 thick layer of whitish sapwood. Not used for any economic purpose. 



" Settlers in many parts of the West gather and preserve the fruit, which is excellent 

 when cooked, but with slight astringent taste. 



