142 The Forest Tress of Oregon. 



THE FOREST TREES OF OREGON.— III. 



The timber of the following forest trees is specially adapted for 

 cabinet work: 



The Oregon Broad-leaved Maple (Acer Macrophyllum). — 

 The wood of this tree is dense and handsome, polishing well, with 

 $. rich variety of grain. For household furniture it is a valuable 

 material. As a shade tree it is superior. It grows rapidly, trans- 

 plants easily, and if left to itself forms a handsome head. 



Acer Circinattjm (the Vine Maple) . — As its name indicates, it is 

 too small for anything larger than barrel hoops, for which purpose 

 it is sometimes sent to San Francisco. 



Oregon Ash (Fraxinus Oregona). — This ash is abundant along 

 the streams of western Oregon, sufficiently so to give it a place as a 

 wood of commerce. Specimens of it may be seen in our cabinet 

 shops that will vindicate this claim. The U. S. custom house at 

 Portland is finished inside with Oregon ash. It loves moist places, 

 and is on this account not suitable for shade or ornament. 



Oregon Alder (Alnus Oregona). — The Oregon alder is abun- 

 dant along stream beds and other damp places. So marked is its 

 love for springs and streams that the presence of a clump of these 

 alders will often reveal to the thirsty explorer a spring of water. Its 

 trunk is often two feet through. Its wood is often used in our cabi- 

 net shops, where it is prized for inside work such as drawers. 



Oregon Myrtle or California Laurel (Oreodaphne Californica). 

 This handsome, fragrant tree is abundant along the Umpqua river 

 and through Rogue river valley. It is at its best around Coos 

 bay, where it is shipped to San Francisco. As it is so heavy that it 

 will not float in water it is difficult to bring this wood to market. It 

 is durable and susceptible of a fine polish, and in every respect is a 

 wood to be prized in commerce. As an ornamental tree it is highly 

 valued, but is difficult to transplant. Its fruit is fairly abundant and 

 the tree may be raised from the seed. 



The Oregon Laurel or Madrona (Arbutus Menziesii). — The 

 madrona is frequent in Jackson county and occasional in the Willa- 

 mette valley. For purposes of commerce it is not abundant enough. 

 It is a handsome, dense, close-grained wood that bears a good polish 

 and is durable. As an addition to the lawn or dooryard it is a real 

 ornament, resembling the European laurel. 



The Dogwood (Cornus Nuttallii). — This tree is ordinarily too 

 small and is too seldom met to be of any importance to commerce. 

 But its wood is a very handsome one for furniture or parts of furni- 

 ture requiring narrow boards. It often grows to be twelve or fifteen 

 inches through and is capable of a high polish. In all respects it is a 

 fine wood for the turning lathe. 



The Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa or Balsamifera). — This 

 tree is very abundant along the rivers and smaller streams and often 



