50 



SHADE TREES FOR NORTH CAROLINA. 



The large bright green compound leaves are formed of numerous leaf- 

 lets. They appear late in spring, form a dense shade during summer and 

 turn dull brown before falling late in autumn. The flowers are not con- 

 spicuous. Twigs are stout and spreading. The root system has a deep 

 tap-root which hinders the transplanting of any but the smallest speci- 

 mens. Young trees can be moderately pruned but old trees not so severely. 

 The wood is elastic and well withstands storms. The walnut does very 

 well on upland soils if not too dry and sandy, although it naturally grows 

 only in moist fertile situations. A high percentage of the nuts germinate 

 and young trees are easily raised, but since transplanting is rendered 

 difficult on account of the ta.p-root, they are best planted in the place they 

 are to grow. Trees should be spaced 40 to 50 feet. 



Tulip or Yellovs^ Poplar {Liriodendron tulipifera) is a native tree 

 found in moist, cool situations throughout the State, most abundant in 

 the western portion of the State and least so in the coastal plain region. 



In cultivation it becomes a large-sized tree attaining a height of 70 to 

 80 feet and an age of more than 100 years. The excurrent trunk, covered 

 with light gray regularly furroAved bark is straight and cylindrical, only 

 slightly tapering. The crown, conical when yoimg and oval when mature, 

 is formed of many short slightly ascending, gracefully arched branches. 

 The bright green lustrous foliage appears very early in spring, forms a 

 moderately dense canopy and turns a bright yellow in early autumn before 

 falling. The ornamental yellow and orange flowers appear in April and 

 May when the foliage is nearly grown. The twigs are long, curved and 

 tipped with large conspicuously flattened buds (PL II, A). 



On account of its excurrent stem the tulip poplar will not endure top 

 pruning and must be given abundant room for the perfect development of 

 its splendid crown. The leader should not be cut back beyond the wood 

 of the season. Severe pruning in any portion of the tree tends to produce, 

 short branches or false leaders, which greatly mar the beauty and sym- 

 metry of the crown. Care must be taken to remove any false leader, 

 which naturally develops, as early as possible. The tree is remarkably 

 free from the attacks of both fungus and insect diseases, but suffers from 

 Sim scald when young. 



The root system is rather deeply seated and formed of large, fleshy 

 roots, and transplanting should take place late in spring just before the 

 foliage begins to develop. While seed are borne in abundance only a few 

 are fertile, but young plants are easily raised if lightly shaded until two 

 years old. Trees should be spaced -iO feet. While not suited for general 

 street j^lantingj there is no finer tree for avenues in places west of 

 Statesville. 



