Handbook of Trees of the Nortiieen States axd Canada. 191 



The Planer-tree rnrely attains a greater 

 height than 30 or 40 ft. or thicker trunk than 

 18 or 20 in. It is distinctly a water-loving 

 species, being confined in its habitation to de- 

 pressions in bottom-lands and deep swamps 

 which are inundated during a considerable 

 portion of the year. In these localities, too 

 wet for nearly all other trees, it holds undis- 

 puted sway and presents a singular appear- 

 ance, with its broad tops of irregular, contorted 

 branches. As if by common agreement they 

 seem determined to maintain this low habit 

 of growth, even though it requires them to en- 

 dure the shade of the taller trees about them 

 which are constantly vieing with each other in 

 reaching up to tlie light. 



The light soft wood, of which a cubic foot 



when absolutely dry weig''s .32.99 lbs., is of 



little or no commercial value. i 



Leaves 1-3 in. long, ovate-oblong, obtuse or 

 rounded and more or less inequilateral at base, 

 coarsely creaate-serrate, subcoriaceous, dull dark 

 green and roughish above, duller and with cnn- 

 spicuoiis veins beneath, and with slender pnhcr 

 ulous petioles. Floiocrs In early spring with or 

 before the leaves ; calyx greenish, campanutate, 

 4-r..cleft : the starainate in fascicles from the 

 axils of the outer scales of the bud on twigs of the 

 previous season, short pedicelate ; anthers eniargi- 

 nate : the pistillate are perfect flowers, 1-M to- 

 gether, with longer pedicels from the axils of the 

 leaves of the year; ovary stipitate, slightly com- 

 pressed ; styles two, reflexed, papilose and stig- 

 matic on inner faces. Fruit ripening in April, and 

 ohinng oblique coriaceous droupe, Vs in. lonu. 

 with "short stipe, subtended by the calyx and 

 tipped with the remnants of the style, ridged, and 

 covered with tleshy proci'sses : sei^d compressed 

 ovoid with straight embryo, unequal thick coty- 

 led()ns, no albumen. ^ 



1. .\, W. 



L'. t^it gc 



11 I. 



