298 Eleventh Annual Report 



sharp spines; leaves odd-pinnate. 1.5-3 dm. (6-12 inches) long; 

 flowers in loose racemes, white, very fragrant, flowering season ^lay 

 or June: fruit a pod about 7 cm. (3 inches) long, smooth. 



Distribution. Along the mountains from Pennsylvania south to 

 Georgia and again appearing in the Ozark ^lountains in ^lissouri. 

 It is doubtful if it was native to the State.* It has been cultivated 

 and has escaped in all parts of Indiana. A mechum sized tree, 

 sometimes attaining a height of 25 m. (80 feet) and a meter (39 

 inches) in diameter. 



The published records of the distribution are as follows: Clark 

 (Baird and Taylor) : Daviess (Clements) and (Hessler) ; Dearborn 

 (Collins); Decatur (Ballard): Delaware, Jay, Randolph and Wayne 

 (Phinney) ; Franklin (Meyncke) : Gibson (Schneck) ; Jefferson (Coul- 

 ter) and (Young); Knox (Thomas); ^Marion (Douglas); ^liami 

 (Gorby) ; vicinity of Xew Albany (Clapp) : Xoble (Van Gorder) : 

 Posey (Schneck); Putnam (MacDougal); Shelby (Ballard); Steu- 

 ben (Bradner); Vigo (Blatchley); Wayne (Retry and ^larkle). 



Additional records are: ^lontgomery (Evans) and (Thompson); 

 Putnam (Grimes) and (Le^as and Bridges): Tippecanoe (Coulter) 

 and (Dorner) : Bartholomew, Franklin, Hamilton, Johnson, Laporte, 

 Montgomery. Steuben and Wells (Deam). 



Economic uses. Wood heavy, very hard, close-grained, takes a 

 good polish, sap wood yellow, heart wood light brown and very 

 durable in contact \\ith the soil. Used principally for fence posts 

 and crossties. 



Horticultural value. This tree was formerly extensively used for 

 ornamental planting. The homes of many of the pioneers have a 

 row of these trees from a half to a meter (19-39 inches) in diameter 

 growing in front of their door. Groups of these trees in fields and 

 along roadsides mark the location of the cabins of the old pioneers. 

 The chief charm of the tree is the fragrance of its blossoms. The 

 ornamental value is much lessened by the late appearance and the 

 early falling of the leaves. 



The tree is now used principally in forestry planting. It is adapted 

 to all kinds of soil except a muck soil. It grows rapidly in a sandy 

 and well drained soil. It is one of the most resistant to drought 

 of any of our trees and for this reason is recommended for reforesting 

 the steep and rocky hillsides of southern Indiana. It shows a 

 rapid and healthy growth where many other species are not able 



*"We had gazed at the majestic beech of this country Cnear Rising Sun"! three feet in diameter; 

 we had seen the honey locust, the black walnut, a buckeye of equal magnitude: and then we saw with 

 surprise, the black locust almost a rival in stature." ('Thomas' Western Travels, page 111, published 

 in 1819). 



