92 FARM FOEESTEY 



and 2>4 feet in height has been attained, though usually of 

 much slower growth. It is suited to the climate of southern 

 Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Indian Territory. It cannot 

 endure severe winters. It forms naturally a very low bushy 

 tree, and requires constant pruning to produce a good trunk. 

 The wood is heavy, hard, elastic, coarse grained, and moder- 

 ately strong. It splits easily and has high fuel value, and 

 makes a durable fence post. It is often used for windbreaks 

 and hedges. Its fruit furnishes food for birds. It reproduces 

 by seeds, by sprouts and by cuttings. The seed can be sepa- 

 rated by crushing and washing the berries. The seed can be 

 kept dry over winter, but it is better to stratify it in moist 

 sand. It should be planted 4 by 4 feet for lumber and 2 feet 

 apart for windbreaks. 



Shagbark Hickory (Hicoria ovata). — Shagbark hickory 

 grows throughout the eastern portion of the country, scat- 

 tered throughout stands of other trees. It never forms pure 

 stands, though often occurring pure in clumps or groups. It 

 grows to large size, often reaching 130 to 140 feet in height 

 and 20 to 30 inches in diameter. It prefers a fresh, fertile 

 soil. It will grow on fairly dry soils, but for best growth it 

 demands some moisture. The wood of hickory is heavy, hard, 

 strong and tough. The wood is straight grained and splits 

 readily. It is used where toughness and strength is necessary, 

 as in vehicles, handles, axes, automobile and wagon rims, 

 shafts and spokes. It has the highest fuel value of any North 

 American wood. The growth is rapid on good soil after the 

 first five years, a foot a year for 60 years often being made. 

 In diameter the average increase is an inch in 7 years. It has 

 long life, often Hving for 250 to 300 years. It is a fairly pro- 

 lific seed-bearer and is easily propagated by planting the nuts. 

 It is also a good sprouter in youth. The nuts should be strati- 

 fied in moist sand over winter and planted where the trees are 

 to grow, because the tree produces a deep taproot. Hickory is 



