ILLINOIS TREES: SELECTION. PLANTING, AND CARE 



61 



Fig. 60. — Goldenrain 

 tree, with its large, 

 man y -leafleted, com- 

 pound leaves (inset), 

 produces long clusters 

 of bright yellow flowers 

 in the spring and blad- 

 der-like pods of fruit in 

 the fall. 



The 6- to 14-inch-long, alternate, compound leaves (Fig. 60 

 inset) are composed of 5-15 round-toothed, egg-shaped to some- 

 what oblong leaflets 1-3 inches long, dark green and smooth 

 above, and paler beneath. Some leaflets are variously lobed. The 

 broad, loose, 8- to 14-inch-long clusters of bright yellow, perfect 

 flowers are produced in profusion during July and August. 

 Flowers of only one sex are produced on some trees. The II/2- to 

 2-inch-long, papery-walled, bladder-like pod of fruit contains two 

 black seeds. It changes from light to dark brown as it matures. 

 This tree is relatively free of diseases and insect pests, but is 

 subject to winter injury which frequently develops as frost 

 cracks of the trunk or winter killing of twigs. Recently, it has 

 been reported susceptible to Verticillium wilt. 



Hackberry 



Hackberry or sugarberry (Celtis occidentalis) (Fig. 61) and 

 Mississippi hackberry, also called sugarberry (C. laevigata) , are 

 native to Illinois. Hackberry is fairly common on rock hills and 

 ridges, and occurs occasionally on low ground. It grows through- 

 out the state and reaches a height of 90 feet with branches spread- 



