Handbook of Tee.es of the) jSToetheen States and Canada. 363 



The Sour Gum in the forest occasionally at- 

 tain the height of 80 or 100 ft., with trunk 3 to 

 5 ft. in diameter. When isolated from the 

 influence of other trees its habit of growth is 

 picturesque, as it sends out many spreading 

 pendulous small tough branches, forming a 

 rounded or cylindrical head. It inhabits gen- 

 erally swamps and wet lowlands, in company 

 with the Red Maple, Swamp White Oak, Black 

 Ash, Water Ash and other water-loving trees, 

 but on the slopes of the Alleghany Mountains 

 is also found on well drained uplands. Its 

 clear bright green foliage is an attractive 

 feature in summer, and its autumnal tints, of 

 bright red and purple, are scarcely surpassed 

 by the tints of any of the trees about it. 



The wood of the Sour Gum is rather light 

 and soft, of fine grain, tough and difficult to 

 split and work, owing to its contorted fiber. 

 These qualities, however, make it particularly 

 valuable for certain special uses; as for wheel- 

 hubs, rollers, wooden-shoes and many other 

 articles of wooden-ware, and it is extensively 

 used, when cut into thin lumber, for fruit- 

 boxes and crates. 2 



Leaves obovate-oblong to oval, 2-5 in. long, 

 cuneate or sometimes rounded at base, acute or 

 acuminate at ape.x, entire, pubescent at first but 

 finally thick, firm and lustrous dark green above 

 and more or less pubescent beneath. Flowers ap- 

 pearing when the leaves are nearly full grown on 

 slender pubescent peduncles from y^ to nearly 2 

 in. long, the staminate in many-flowered and the 

 pistillate in few-flowered heads. Fruit ripening in 

 October, 2-3 or more in each cluster, oblong, blue- 

 black with thin .iuicy sour flesh and ovoid or 

 oblong slightly flattened stone having 10-12 low 

 longitudinal ribs.^ 



1. Syn. Npssa multiflora Wang. 



2. A. W., I, 9. 



3. For genus see p. 450. 



