38 THE FOREST TREES OF UPPER CANADA. 



38 lbs. ; value for heating purposes, 80, "but mostly used for fuel, and 

 generally preferred to all other woods. 



15. Soft or White Maple (Acer dasycarpum). — This species much 

 resembles the last, but its leaves are larger, and its winged fruit larger- 

 It is common in all low, damp, rich soils ; sometimes attains a diameter 

 of 4 feet, and a height of 80 feet. Not so abundant as the hard maple, 

 nor so valuable ; the wood is white and soft ; the bark is used for 

 dyeing. As an ornamental tree, it is preferred to the hard maple, as 

 having a denser foliage, and being of more rapid growth. 



16. White Ash (Fraxinus Americana). — Grows abundantly through- 

 out Canada, and attains an average height of 110 feet, and 60 feet to the 

 first limb, and 26 to 36 inches in diameter. The timber is much valued 

 for its toughness and elasticity ; excellent for works exposed to sudden 

 shocks and strains, as the frames of machines, wheel carriages, agricul- 

 tural implements, the felloes of wheels, &c, handles of implements, and 

 for numerous similar purposes. The young branches serve for hoops of 

 ships' masts, tubs, for coarse basket work, &c. It grows rapidly, and the 

 j'oung or second growth wood is more valuable than that of the old trees. 

 Can be furnished in almost every part of Canada for 35Z. sterling per 

 1,000 cubic feet, and at Quebec for about 45/. Specific gravity, 0-616 ; 

 weight of cubic foot, 40 lbs. ; value for heating purposes, 70. 



17. Red Ash (Fraxinus pubescens).- — A smaller tree than the white 

 ash, of much rarer occurrence, and not so valuable, but still a very 

 valuable timber, resembling very much the white ash, and often con- 

 founded with it. The wood is also used for the same purposes. Specific 

 gravity, 07 ; weight of cubic foot, 40 lbs. 



18. Black Ash (Fraxinus samoucifolia). — Found in moist woods and 

 swamps, grows to the height of 60 to 70 feet, with a diameter of 2 feet ; 

 the wood is tough and elastic, but much less durable than white ash ; the 

 young saplings are in great requisition for hoops, and mature trunks for 

 baskets. The timber is very durable under water. Specific gravity, 

 - 7 ; weight of cubic foot, 40 lbs. 



19. Rim Ash (Celtis occidentalis). — Grows to the height of 30 to 40 

 feet, and 1 foot in diameter. The trunk has a rough but unbroken bark. 

 The wood is very tough, and used for hoops of barrels. 



20. Rock Elm (Ulmus racemosa). — Found in most parts of Canada, 

 and grows very large in the western counties, averaging 150 feet in 

 height, and 80 to the first limb, with a diameter of 22 inches. Is abun- 

 dant in the western part of Upper Canada ; preferred to even white ash 

 by some carriage and waggon makers for the poles and shafts of car- 

 riages and sleighs. The wood bears the driving of bolts and nails better 

 than any other timber, and is exceedingly durable when continuously 

 wet : it is, therefore, much used for the keels of vessels, water-works, 

 piles, pumps, boards for coffins, and all wet foundations requiring wood. 

 On account of its toughness, it is selected for the naves of wheels, shells 



