88 WOODPECKERS IF RELATION TO TREES. 



THE SAPODILLA FAMILY (SAPOTACE.E) . 



The wood of two species of this family, the southern and Arizona 

 buckthorns, is known to be affected by sapsucker work. The checks 

 are small and round and much curled grain overlies the healed wounds ; 

 hence the effect is to embellish the wood. 



THE EBONY FAMILY (EBENACE^). 



One of the two native trees of this family is known to be blemished 

 by sapsuckers. The defects in persimmon are oblong deep black 

 stains, not extending along the grain. They mar the appearance of 

 the wood, but do not injure it for its ordinary commercial uses 

 (Cottonport, La.). 



THE OLIVE FAMILY (OLEACEJE) . 



Defects due to sapsuckers have been observed in three species of 

 this family, one of which is the unutilized devilwood, the other two 

 being ashes, both valuable timber trees. 



Some of the original wounds in ash persist as cavities only partly 

 filled with loose woody tissue surrounded by conspicuous stains. 

 These blemishes would lower the grade of ash wood, as it is especially 

 prized for its usual freedom from blemishes. In ash lumber used 

 for vehicles and for wooden parts of agricultural implements and 

 machinery, strength is the prime requisite; but for such purposes 

 pieces containing the small open knots resulting from sapsucker work 

 would have to be discarded. Ash is used also for paneling and orna- 

 mental purposes. Both blemishes and ornaments appear in the 

 samples examined, but the presence of a few small ornaments by no 

 means prevents the rejection or degrading of a piece for defects. 

 Occurring together, as they always do, the blemishes, which we do 

 not want, overbalance the ornaments, which we can do without. 



White ash (Fraxinus americana). — The defects in a specimen 

 from Cottonport, La., are knotty checks surrounded by oblong brown 

 stains. Lighter stains extend along the grain 6 inches or more. 

 Curled grain and bird's-eye are abundant, but being associated with 

 the defects have no importance. In samples of white ash from Abbe- 

 ville, La., the stains tend to be continuous around the annual rings 

 and penetrate one or two wood layers both over and under the 

 wounded one. More or less open checks remain, some containing 

 loose woody tissue, and the surrounding wood is quite gnarled. 

 These defects are objectionable from an ornamental standpoint and 

 also as to strength in the case of small pieces. 



Two specimens of shovel handles are at hand showing the appear- 

 ance «>l sapsucker defects in articles manufactured of white ash. 

 One, obtained at Lvansville, Intl. (II.), shows scars left hv seven of a 



