88 WOODPECKERS IN RELATION TO TREES. 
THE SAPODILLA FAMILY (SAPOTACE^) . 
The wood of two species of this family, the southern and Arizona 
buckthorns, is known to be affected by sapsucker work. The checks 
are small and round and much curled grain overlies the healed wounds; 
hence the effect is to embellish the wood. 
THE EBONY FAMILY (EBENACE^E). 
One of the two native trees of this family is known to be blemished 
by sapsuckers. The defects in persimmon are oblong deep black 
stains, not extending along the grain. They mar the appearance of 
the wood, but do not injure it for its ordinary commercial uses 
(Cottonport, La.). 
THE OLIVE FAMILY (OLEACE^E) . 
Defects due to sapsuckers have been observed in three species of 
this family, one of which is the unutilized devilwood, the other two 
being ashes, both valuable timber trees. 
Some of the original wounds in ash persist as cavities only partly 
filled with loose woody tissue surrounded by conspicuous stains. 
These blemishes would lower the grade of ash wood, as it is especially 
prized for its usual freedom from blemishes. In ash lumber used 
for vehicles and for wooden parts of agricultural implements and 
machinery, strength is the prime requisite; but for such purposes 
pieces containing the small open knots resulting from sapsucker work 
would have to be discarded. Ash is used also for paneling and orna- 
mental purposes. Both blemishes and ornaments appear in the 
samples examined, but the presence of a few small ornaments by no 
means prevents the rejection or degrading of a piece for defects. 
Occurring together, as they always do, the blemishes, winch we do 
not want, overbalance the ornaments, which we can do without. 
White ash {Fraxinus americana). — The defects in a specimen 
from Cottonport, La., are knotty checks surrounded by oblong brown 
stains. Lighter stains extend along the grain 6 inches or more. 
Curled grain and bird's-eye are abundant, but being associated with 
the defects have no importance. In samples of white ash from Abbe- 
ville, La., the stains tend to be continuous around the annual rings 
and penetrate one or two wood layers both over and under the 
wounded one. More or less open checks remain, some containing 
Loose woody tissue, and the surrounding wood is quite gnarled. 
These defects are objectionable from an ornamental standpoint and 
also as to strength in the case of small pieces. 
Two specimens of shovel handles are at hand showing the appear- 
ance of sapsucker defects in articles manufactured of white ash. 
One, obtained at Evansville, Ind. (H.), shows scars left by seven of a 
