ILLINOIS TREES: SELECTION, PLANTING, AND CARE 75 



%-inch-long, somewhat oblong, chestnut-brown cones mature in 

 the autumn of the first year. The 20 or more concave cone scales 

 are nearly rounded and have irregular and shallow-toothed mar- 

 gins. Two terminally winged seeds are borne on each scale. The 

 grayish- to reddish-brown, thin bark is minutely scaly. The 

 brown, coarse-grained wood is fairly durable and resembles the 

 wood of hard pine. It is used for telephone poles, fence posts, 

 and railroad ties. 



The tall European larch (Fig. 70), with its horizontal 

 branches, reaches a height of 100 feet. It loses its pyramidal 

 shape with age and becomes irregular. The flat, soft, bright green 

 leaves (Fig. 70 inset) are %,-li/2 inches long. The %- to li/4- 

 inch-long, oval cones are made up of 40-50 scales. The wings of 

 the seeds extend to the upper margin of the scale. The dark, 

 grayish-brown bark is thicker than the bark of tamarack. 



The larches are relatively free of diseases and insect pests in 

 Illinois. 



Linden 



The two native species of linden (basswood) in Illinois are 

 American linden or basswood (Tilia americana) and white bass- 

 wood or beetree linden (T. heterophijlla) . White basswood is 

 rare in the state. Both species are fast-growing trees and have 

 soft, brittle wood. They reach heights of 80-100 feet with a 

 branch spread of 30-60 feet. Native and introduced species of 

 linden are used for shade and specimen purposes in ornamental 

 plantings. 



American linden (Fig. 71), which occurs throughout the 

 state, is frequently found on rich, wooded slopes, along moist 

 stream banks, and in cool ravines. The alternate, egg-shaped, 

 broad, lopsided, abruptly pointed leaves (Fig. 71 inset) have 

 coarsely toothed margins. They are 5-6 inches long, 3-4 inches 

 wide, dark dull green on the upper surface, and shiny light green 

 beneath. The clusters of yellowish-white, sweetly fragrant, 

 nectar-bearing, perfect flowers are attractive. The globe-shaped, 

 nutlike fruit is about V2 inch in diameter, woody, and densely 

 hairy on the outside. The branches are smooth with green bark, 

 and the furrowed trunk bark is gray, tough, and fibrous. 



The wood of linden is not durable and is not suitable for 

 fence posts, railroad ties, and other rough uses. However, it is 

 used in the manufacture of cheap furniture, boxes, trunks, pic- 

 ture moldings, beekeeper supplies, musical instruments, excelsior. 



