‘ 
34. FOREST BELTS OF WESTERN KANSAS AND NEBRASKA. 
The tree makes good coarse lumber, moderately durable posts, and 
good firewood. In many ways it is the most valuable tree of the 
region tor general local uses. 
RED CEDAR. 
The red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is the only native conifer of 
Kansas, and while widely distributed is seldom abundant. In Ne- 
braska two species are recognized, Juniperus virginiana, of the eastern 
and central portions of the State, and Juniperus scopulorum, of the 
western part; but since the actual range of the two forms is undeter- 
mined and no distinction is made by the ordinary observer, the term 
red cedar is used for both in this report. The most obvious difference 
in the cedar of the two portions of the State is the extremely scrubby 
form often assumed by the native of the western part. The best of 
this was never fit for anything but posts and fuel, while from the 
trees farther east good telegraph poles were once produced. It is 
often found solitary on a bluff side, generally prefers the drier situa- 
tions, and is quite indifferent to the kind of soil in which it makes its 
home. It grows slowly, but is wonderfully hardy. 
The wood is valued chiefly for its great durability. Few woods 
of the United States last as long in contact with the ground, and con- 
sequently make such good posts and poles. Its value as lumber is 
not great. 
BLACK WALNUT. 
In Kansas the black walnut (Juglans nigra) is found in not more 
than one tier of counties west of the ninety-ninth meridian. It is 
abundant in various localities within its range and, though never 
attaining a large size, is a valuable tree. In Nebraska it is found 
enly in Franklin County, on the Republican River, and in Cherry 
County, along the Niobrara. Its value is largely in its fruit, though 
the dark-colored heartwood is very durable and makes good posts, as 
well as good cabinet lumber. Rapidly grown trees have so much 
perishable sapwood that their lumber value is not great. 
WILLOWS. 
The black willow (Salix nigra) and the almondleaf willow (Sali 
amygdaloides) ave the large tree willows of Kansas and Nebraska. 
They have been much confused and are quite variable, but the latter 
extends considerably farther west than the former; in fact, the only 
counties in Kansas where the black willow was definitely recognized 
in the course of these investigations were Barber and Comanche. 
The black willow is. perhaps, more widely distributed in Nebraska 
