DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 205 



the loose, tufted appearance of each individual leaf. The 

 flowers, which are white, are borne in loose spikes, in 

 the beginning of summer ; and are succeeded by ample 

 brown pods, flat and somewhat curved, which contain six 

 or seven large grey seeds, imbedded in a sweet pulpy 

 substance. As the genus is dicecious, it is necessary that 

 both sexes of this tree should be growing near each other, 

 in order to produce seed. 



When Kentucky was first settled by the adventurous 

 pioneers from the Atlantic States, who commenced their 

 career in the primeval wilderness, almost without the 

 necessaries of life, except as produced by them from the 

 fertile soil, they fancied that they had discovered a 

 substitute for coffee in the seeds of this tree, and 

 accordingly the name of Coffee tree was bestowed upon 

 it : but when a communication was established with the 

 seaports, they gladly relinquished their Kentucky beverage 

 for the more grateful flavor of the Indian plant ; and no 

 use is at present made of it in that manner. It has, 

 however, a fine, compact wood, highly useful in building oi 

 cabinet-work. 



The Kentucky Coffee tree is well entitled to a place in 

 every collection. In summer, its charming foliage and 

 agreeable flowers render it a highly beautiful lawn tree ; 

 and in winter, it is certain y one of the most novel trees, 

 m appearance, in our whole native sylva. Like the 

 Ailantus, it is entirely destitute of small spray, but it also 

 adds to this the additional singularity of thick, blunt, 

 terminal branches, without any perceptible buds. Alto- 

 gether it more resembles a dry, dead, and withered 

 combination of sticks, than a living and thrifty tree. 

 Although this would be highly monotonous and displeasing, 

 were it the common appearance of our deciduous trees 



