182 



WOOD AND FOREST. 



63 



Black Ash. Hoop Ash. 



Hoop, refers to its use for barrel hoops. 



Fraxinus nigra Marshall. Fraxinus scambucifolia. 

 Fraximis, from a Greek word (phraxis) meaning split, refers to the 

 cleavability of the wood: samhucifoUa, refers to the fact that the leaves are 

 in odor like those of Elder (Sambucus). 



Habitat: (See map); 

 best in moist places. 



Characteristics of the 

 Tree: Height, 80'-00'; di- 

 ameter, I'-lYi' ; slender- 

 est of the forest trees, up- 

 right branches; bark, gray 

 tinged with red, irregular 

 plates, with thin scales ; 

 leaves, 10"-16" long, com- 

 pound, 7 to 11 leaflets, in 

 autumn rust}' brown ; 

 fruit, single samaras in 

 panicles. 



Appearance of Wood : 



Color, dark brown, sap- 

 wood light ; riug-porous ; 

 rings, well defined ; grain, 

 straight, burls often form 

 highh' prized veneers; 

 rays, numerous and thin. 



Physical Qualities : 



Medium heavy (27th in 

 this list), 39 lbs. per cu. 

 ft.; sp. gr., 0.G318; strong 



I.uaf. 



