100 



SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REGION. 



Mulberry {Morm ruhra) is a small tree with a very short stem, sel- 

 dom more than 25 feet in height and 24 inches in diameter. The wood 

 is tough and very durable, and is used for posts, etc. It is found in 

 rich hollows at low elevations, but is in general cultivation for the 

 fruit. It seeds regularly and abundantl}^ and makes rapid growth. 



Cucumher-tree {Magnolia acuminata) is a large tree, becoming 120 

 feet high and 5 feet in diameter. It frequents the base of the moun- 

 tains, generally above 1,500 feet altitude. The wood is rather soft 

 and yellow, and is largely used in the manufacture of furniture, being 

 marketed with that of the yellow poplar. Seed are not abundant and 

 reproduction is scanty. The rate of growth is slow. 



Yellow-flowered Cucumher-tree {Magnolia acuminata cordata) is a 

 smaller tree than the preceding and is confined to the lower elevations 

 at the southern end of the Appalachians. As a timber tree it is 

 unimportant. 



Largeleaf Umhrella-tree {Magnolia macrophylla) is a small tree, 

 seldom more than 25 feet in height, which occurs at only a few places 

 along streams or on shad}' slopes. It is often planted as an orna- 

 mental tree, but the wood has no uses. 



Umbrella-tree {Magnolia tripetala) is a small tree very similar to the 

 preceding, but more common. 



Mountain Magnolia {Magyiolia fraseri) is a tree 40 to 60 feet in 

 height, growing along cool sti'eams. The wood is soft and white, and 

 is put to no uses. The bark is gathered and used medicinallj'. 



Yellovj Poplar {Liriodendron tulipifera) is the largest tree of the 

 Appalachians, attaining a height of 140 feet and a diameter of 8 feet. 

 It is common below 3,500 feet elevation, but is most abundant and 

 reaches its largest size in cool, sheltered hollows on rich soil. The 

 wood is soft and j^ellow, and is extensively used in the manufacture of 

 furniture and for wood pulp. It seeds frequently and abundantl}', 

 but young trees are not very common, as a delicate adjustment of 

 light and moisture condition is required for regeneration. It repro- 

 duces freely on the partly shaded portions of old pastures. It is a 

 tree of only medium rapidit}'^ of growth. 



Papaio {Asimina triloba) is a small tree, seldom more than 30 feet in 

 height, growing on rich, moist soil at low elevations. It is uncomiBon. 



Sassafras {Sassafras sassafras), reaching a height of not more than 

 40 feet and a diameter of 24 inches, is common on dr}^ sandy soil. 

 The red wood is hard and fine grained, and takes a beautiful polish. 

 It is sometimes used in the manufacture of furniture. It reproduces 

 freely in old fields on stiff soil by seed and suckers. 



Witch Hazel {Hamamelis virginiana) is a small tree, about 15 feet in 

 height, or generally a slender shrub, common on moist soils up to 4,000 

 feet elevation. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely. Extract 

 of witch hazel is distilled from its bark. 



