THE NATIVE TREES OF RHODE ISLAND. 
31 
Other Trees. 
Only a brief mention can be made of a few remaining 1 native 
trees of less importance than those more fully treated. The hack- 
berry, also called the “ false elm,” is found scattered through the 
shore towns of Narragansett Bay, and occasionally inland. It is 
a knotty, scraggy tree growing, in good ground, to large size. Its 
wood is hard, tough, yellowish in tint, but not often found in the 
stock of lumber dealers. It has a cherry-like fruit, with thin, 
sweetish pulp, which dries on the tree. This forms winter food for 
birds. East Providence has a number of well-grown trees of this 
kind. 
The “ iron-wood ” tree is scattered about the State. Its wood is 
exceedingly tough, strong, elastic, and durable. For firm wood 
team stakes, or binders to secure loads, there is nothing better. 
The hop -like sacks in which its seeds grow give it the name which 
it sometimes goes by, “ hop-hornbeam.” ' It is a small tree. 
The black cherry is common enough, but objectionable as a 
breeder of the caterpillars which are so destructive to the foliage 
and fruit of apple trees. We know the great value of the cherry 
lumber, but let western States produce it. The less “ bird ” cherry 
trees the better, unless they come up as nurses for trees of 
greater value. 
The flowering dog-wood — better call it by its botanical name, 
comus Florida — is a desirable little tree, both for beauty and use. 
It is a very conspicuous object when in flower, as it appears by 
the waysides, along the borders of woods and in open lots. The 
white, or slightly tinted bracts which surround the true flowers 
are like great snow-flakes all over the tree, no less beautiful than 
the much prized magnolias. The wood is very close-grained, 
hard, and receives a fine polish. It is much sought for in cabinet 
work, and for toolhandles, under the name of American box- 
wood. A beautiful variety of this tree bearing pink flowers is 
propagated in the nurseries. The tree does well in cultivation. 
