35 FOREST BELTS OF WESTERN KANSAS AND NEBRASKA. 
HAWS. 
The haws are so variable that correct classification is difficult. 
They occur in a few localities in western Nebraska, but are small. 
The logspine haw (Crategus macracantha) 1s found on Dead Horse 
Creek, in Dawes County; the scarlet haw (Cratwgus coccinea) on 
the Dismal River. in Hooker County, while both species grow along 
the Middle Loup, in Thomas County, near Halsey. The scarlet haw 
is also reported from Brown and Cherry counties. 
WILD PLUM. 
The wild plum (Prunus americana) is a large bush, or small, 
thorny tree, common throughout Kansas and Nebraska. It usually 
grows in clumps in the bottoms of draws and canyons and along 
streams. The fruit is very variable in size, color, and quality, and 
is much sought for domestic use. 
CHOKECHERRY. 
The chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is abundant in both States, 
and is much like the wild plum in its habits. The usual species in 
Kansas is undoubtedly Prunus virginiana. It has been asserted that 
in western Nebraska the western chokecherry (Prunus demissa) 1s 
the prevailing form: but if this be so, extended observation failed to 
establish the fact. 
MESQUITE. 
A few scattered specimens of this representative of the desert 
(Prosopis julifora) are found in Barber and Comanche counties, 
Kans.. where they undoubtedly reach the extreme northward exten- 
sion of the species. The tree has a possible value in the warmer 
parts of this region, since it is known to have spread northward very 
rapidly through Oklahoma during the past twenty-five years. 
COFFEETREE. 
The coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicos) is found occasionally in 
Kansas as far west as Comanche and Russell counties. At Wilmore, 
and on the Medicine River west of Medicine Lodge, it is abundant, 
and the reproduction in many places is excellent. The tree is near 
its western limit in the eastern part of the region here described, but, 
like so many others, may extend westward under favorable conditions. 
The wood is moderately strong and very durable and makes good 
posts. 
