96 



SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REGION. 



culled woods at low altitudes. This and the other species are largely 

 used for fuel. 



Red-heart Hickory {Ilicoria odorata) becomes 120 feet in height and 

 30 inches in diameter, and is one of the most common species. In the 

 Southern Appalachians it is second in value and importance only to the 

 White Hickory. It ])refers rich, warm soil at low elevations. . Seed 

 are borne often and in abundance, and reproduction is good. 



Pignut {Hicoria glabra) is a slender tree, exceptionally 100 feet in 

 height, generally growing on dvy soil, but is not common. The timber 

 is inferior to that of the red-heart hickory. 



Hairy Pignut {Hicoria, glalmi Jiirsuta) is like the preceding in size 

 and in the character of its timber, but is not so common. 



Sand Hickory {Hicoria villosa) is a small, uncommon tree, yielding a 

 wood similar to that of the pignut. It grows on sand}' soil along 

 streams and on dr}^ ridges at low elevations. 



Black Willoio {Salix nigra) is a small tree reaching a height of 50 

 feet, and is common along streams below 3,000 feet elevation. The 

 wood is not used, but the tree is important, as its tough roots serve to 

 protect from erosion the banks of the streams along which the trees 

 grow. 



Silky Willovj {Salix sericed) is a small tree 20 to 30 feet in height, 

 with straight stems, which is common along sti-eams and in wet mead- 

 ows below 4,000 feet in altitude. It is too small to furnish useful 

 wood, but as a protection against the erosion of the banks of small 

 streams it is of more importance than the preceding. It seeds abun- 

 dantly' and reproduces freely. 



Largetooth Aspen {Pojndus grandidentata) is a slender tx"ee reaching 

 a height of 50 feet. It is not common and the wood is not used. 



Balm of Gilead {Populus halsamifera candicans) has been exten- 

 sively planted along streams, where it makes an excellent soil binder 

 and protects the banks against washing. It is also useful in building 

 up low areas along streams which are subject to flooding, as the 

 deposit of earth around its stems during freshets does not injure the 

 health of the tree. The collection and sale of the large resinous buds, 

 which are used medicinally, is an industry of some importance. It is 

 a tree of rapid growth, and soon reaches a height of 50 feet. The 

 wood is light, soft, and not durable. 



River Birch {Betula. nigra) reaches a height of 70 feet and a diame- 

 ter of 30 inches, and occurs on\y along the banks of the larger streams. 

 Seeds are borne abundantl}' and reproduction is good. The wood is 

 coarse and hard. It is chiefly valuable in protecting the banks of 

 streams! 



Sweet Birch {Betula lenta) is found along cold mountain streams on 

 northern slopes, where it reaches a height of 90 feet and a diameter of 

 3 feet. The timber is used to some extent in the manufacture of fur- 



