us 



1. Celtis occidentalis Linnoeus. Hackberry. Plate 61. Me- 

 dium to large-sized ti'ees; Imrk of old trees irregularly furrowed, some- 

 times some of the surface warty and rough; twigs smooth or pubescent, 

 the fruiting ones generally smooth; leaves of an ovate type on petioles 

 0.5-2 cm. long, the blades of fruiting twigs 5-15 cm. long, those of veg- 

 tative twigs sometimes larger, obliriue or slightly cordate at base, 

 gradually tapering to a point at ape.x, or long acuminate at the apex, 

 often becoming thick at maturity, especially those exposed to full sun- 

 light, generally smooth above at maturity, especially those of fruiting 

 twigs, or sometimes rough, especially those of vegetative branchlets or 

 those growing in the shade, the under surface more or less pubescent 

 along the veins at nuiturity ; fruit matures in late autumn, very dark red, 

 sometimes appearing almost black, globose or somewhat oblong, general- 

 ly about 9-10 mm. in diameter, borne on pedicels which are longer or up 

 to twice as long as the petioles; the pedicels which are always ascending 

 are straight or somewhat curved upwards; nutlets globose, a little longer 

 than wide. 



Distribution. — Valley of the St. Lawrence River, southern Ontario, 

 to North Dakota, and south to the Gulf States and west to Texas. 

 More or less frequent along streams throughout the State, except in the 

 hilly counties of the southern part of the State. It is always found in 

 moist soil, except in the hilly counties where it may be found on wooded 

 slopes or on high rocky bluffs l^ordering streams. In all of our area the 

 species is practically confined to drainage basins, and is generally close 

 to streams. 



Remarks. — The wood is jrellowish-white and before seasoning very 

 much resembles ash for which it was generally sold. It has good bending 

 qualities and is now much sought after foi hoops. It was formerly 

 often known as hoop ash. The supply is now becoming scarce, but 

 when bought sells for the same price as good white elm. 



Some writers include under the name Celtis occidentalis only those 

 forms ^\'hich ar(! small trees and have ovate, short-pointed leaves. This 

 type of tree has not been found in Indiana. The form with long 

 acuminate pointed leave which is the common form in our area, is 

 regarded as a variety of Celtis occidentalis. Trees having the upper 

 surface of the leaves very rough are called Celtis crassifolin Lamarck, 

 or ar(> merely regarded as a variety of Celtis occidentalis. This form 

 is found thi'oughout our area. 



The hackberry is sometimes used as a shade tree. It can scarcely be 

 )-ecommonded because its leaves and twigs are often affected by galls 

 which (leti'act from its appearance. 



2. (ieltis piimila (Muhlenljcrg) Pursh. Dwarf LIackberry. 

 Plate 02. Park thin, smooth and gray on shrub-like forms, wartv 



