16 
THE NATIVE TREES OF RHODE ISLAND. 
give name to the tree and readily identify it. In open ground it 
lias considerable spread, but, usually, is irregular in its branching 
and shape. The wood has all the good qualities usually found in 
the hickories. 
THE PIGNUT HICKORY. 
The name “ pignut ” is probably a corruption of the word “ fig- 
nut,” originally applied to the nuts of this species from their 
striking resemblance, when in the husk, to young figs. Boys 
and squirrels sometimes gather these nuts, but get little meat 
for their labor. The tree is remarkably attractive, tall, col- 
umnar, and symmetrical. Its foliage is abundant, a lively green 
all summer, taking on shades of orange in autumn. The wood 
commands a high price for open fires and for smoking hams, and 
straight grained sticks are always wanted for tool handles, car- 
riage work, and like uses. A plantation of these, or the other 
hickories, would very soon yield a profit by thinning for walking- 
sticks and hoop stock for casks. 
The mocker-nut hickory is found, sparingly, in company with 
the shagbark, which it much resembles in outward form. The 
bark is smoother on the body, the leaves very large. The nuts 
are large and very thick-shelled, having but little meat, difficult to 
get. The tree is chiefly valuable for its wood. 
The bitter-nut hickory makes the finest shade tree of either of 
our four native species. It grows to stately proportions, has 
numerous lithe branches clothed with smaller leaves than the 
other species have. The nuts have a shell so thin that the fingers 
may crush them, and meat so bitter that one taste is enough. Its 
utility lies in its value as a shade tree, and in its wood for fuel 
and timber. 
The Beech. 
The beech is not common in this State, but mere are a few 
model specimens. The illustration given shows its habit of 
growth in open ground. It is one of the best of trees for shade. 
