Handbook of Teees of the Noetiieen States and Canada. 207 



This singulfir and very interesting tree 

 ravtly attains a greater height than 30-50 ft., 

 or its trunk a greater thickness than 18 in. 

 to 2 ft., with few large branches forming a 

 wide-topped head. No tree in the American 

 forests equals it in the great size of leaves and 

 flowers, or s\u|)asses it in ornamental value. 

 It inhabits the rich soil of sheltered valleys 

 and slopes of the Alleghany ilountains, in 

 company with various Oaks and Hickories, the 

 Sugar Maple, Dogwood, Witch Hazel, Chest- 

 nut, etc. 



It seems strange that this beautiful tree is 

 not more extensively planted as an ornamental 

 shade tree, as it is said to be hardy as far 

 north as Massachusetts, and few trees can be 

 found that equal it in ornamental value and 

 tropical effects. Kot alone are its great 

 leaves marvelous, but its pure white flowers 

 when expanded are too large to be covered by 

 the largest dinner plate. Later they are suc- 

 ceeded by its large globose pink cones, hardly 

 less ornamental, especially when opening and 

 dangling on slender threads their conspicuous 

 bright red seeds, probably to induce passing 

 birds to aid in their dissemination. 



The wood is similar in appearance and 

 properties to that of the Cucumber-tree, a 

 cubic foot when absolutely dry weighing 33.00 

 lbs. 



Lcaces deciduous. 20-.''.0 in. long, obovate or 

 oblong, narrowed and cordate at base, acute or 

 rounded at ape.x. briglit green and glabrous above, 

 white-inibescent beneatli. Flowers open bell- 

 shaped, white with pnrple spot at base, fragrant. 

 Fruit suhglobose, pubescent. 



