GROWING TREES 
69 
However, for planting about our homes, there are other 
trees which grow more rapidly and furnish more durable 
wood. The Bois d’arc or Osage orange grows rather 
rapidly in most places. 
Locust seeds Or roots may be used for propagating a 
rapidly growing grove. The roots of the locust develop 
nitrogen nodules, much the same as clover or alfalfa, 
and actually enrich the soil. Locust post and railroad- 
tie timber is valuable. Nothing is more pleasing about 
a home than a row of locust trees covered with fragrant 
blossoms. 
Fig. 46 a.—Reforested wood lot. 
The Bois d’arc and locusts contain chemicals which 
prevent to some extent the entrance of insects and fungi 
which cause the decay of timbers. 
Lumber, including boards, beams and sawed timber, is 
produced mostly in those sections where there is a heavy 
growth of native- forests. We consider pines, spruce, 
hemlock, and other evergreens as soft woods. Pine trees 
are the source of most “soft” lumber. Such trees as oak, 
elm, maple, ash, walnut, gum, and sycamore are “hard¬ 
wood.” 
