164 WOOD AND FOREST. 



54 



Wild Black Clierky. 

 Padus serotina (Ehrliart) Agardh. Pruniis seruiina Ehrhart. 



Padus, the old Greek name; pruniis, the classical Latin name; serotina^ 

 because it blossoms late (June). 



Habitat. 



Leaf. 



Habitat; (See map) ; 

 be.^t on southern Alleghen}' 

 mountains. 



Characteristics of the 

 Tree: Heiglit, 40'-oO', 

 even 100'; diameter, 2'-4:'; 

 straight, columnar trunk, 

 often free from branches 

 for 70'; bark, blackish 

 and rough, fissured in all 

 directions, liroken into 

 small, ii'regular, scaly 

 plates, -(vith raised edges ; 

 ]ea\"es, oblong to lanceo- 

 late, deep, shin)' green ; 

 fruit, Ijlack dru]3e, '^'2". 



Appearance of Wood: 



Color, light brown or red, 

 sap-wood yellow; diffuse- 

 porous ; rings, obscure ; 

 grain, straight, close, fine, 

 takes fine polish ; rays, 

 numerous. 



Physical Qualities : 



Weight, medium (35th in 



