Chapter III: Part 3

FLOWERS.--April, before the leaves; monoecious; the staminate catkins 3-4 inches long, slender, pendent, purplish yellow; the pistillate catkins sessile or nearly so, erect, almost 1 inch long, greenish.

FRUIT.--Ripens in autumn; sessile or short-stalked, erect, glabrous strobiles, about 1 inch long and half as thick; scales downy on the back and edges; nut about as broad as the wing.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds about 1/4 inch long, conical, acute, chestnut-brown, more or less appressed; bud-scales more or less pubescent.

BARK.--Twigs, branches and young stems smooth, very lustrous, silvery gray or light orange; becoming silvery yellow-gray as the trunk expands and breaking into strips more or less curled at the edges; old trunks becoming gray or blackish, dull, deeply and irregularly fissured into large, thin plates; somewhat aromatic, slightly bitter.

WOOD.--Heavy, very strong and hard, close-grained, light brown tinged with red, with thin, whitish sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Throughout the state, but more abundant and of larger size northward.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich, moist uplands, but grows in wet or dry situations.

NOTES.--One of the largest deciduous-leaved trees of Michigan. Easily transplanted, but not desirable as a street tree.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
7. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
8. Fruit, × 3-1/2.]

+BETULACEAE+

+Paper Birch. Canoe Birch. White Birch+

_Betula alba papyrifera_ (_Marsh._) _Spach_. [_Betula papyrifera Marsh._]

HABIT.--A tree 50-75 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-3 feet, forming in youth a compact, pyramidal crown of many slender branches, becoming in old age a long, branchless trunk with a broad, open crown, composed of a few large limbs ascending at an acute angle, with almost horizontal branches and a slender, flexible spray.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 2-3 inches long, 1-1/2-2 inches broad; ovate; coarsely, more or less doubly serrate; thick and firm; glabrous, dark green above, lighter beneath, covered with minute black glands; petioles stout, yellow, glandular, glabrous or pubescent.

FLOWERS.--April, before the leaves; monoecious; the staminate catkins clustered or in pairs, 3-4 inches long, slender, pendent, brownish; the pistillate catkins about 1-1/2 inches long, slender, erect or spreading, greenish; styles bright red.

FRUIT.--Ripens in autumn; long-stalked, cylindrical, glabrous, drooping strobiles, about 1-1/2 inches long; scales hairy on the margin; nut narrower than its wing.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds 1/4 inch long, narrow-ovoid, acute, flattish, slightly resinous, usually divergent.

BARK.--Twigs dull red, becoming lustrous orange-brown; bark of trunk and large limbs cream-white and lustrous on the outer surface, bright orange on the inner, separating freely into thin, papery layers, becoming furrowed and almost black near the ground.

WOOD.--Light, hard, strong, tough, very close-grained, light brown tinged with red, with thick, whitish sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Lansing and northward. Common in central Michigan as a small tree. Of larger size in the Upper Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich, moist hillsides; borders of streams, lakes and swamps; but is also found in drier situations.

NOTES.--A rapid grower in youth. The bark is used by the Indians and woodsmen for canoes, wigwams, baskets, torches, etc.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 3/4.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
7. Bur, opened, × 1.
8. Nut, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Beech. White Beech+

_Fagus grandifolia Ehrh._ [_Fagus atropunicea_ (_Marsh._) _Sudw._] [_Fagus ferruginea Ait._] [_Fagus americana Sweet_]

HABIT.--A beautiful tree, rising commonly to a height of 50-75 feet, with a trunk diameter of 2-4 feet; in the forest, tall and slender, with short branches forming a narrow crown, in the open with a short, thick trunk and numerous slender, spreading branches, forming a broad, compact, rounded crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-5 inches long, one-half as broad; oblong-ovate, acuminate; coarsely serrate, a vein terminating in each tooth; thin; dark blue-green above, light yellow-green and very lustrous beneath; petioles short, hairy.

FLOWERS.--April-May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in globose heads 1 inch in diameter, on long, slender, hairy peduncles, yellow-green; calyx campanulate, 4-7-lobed, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 8-10; the pistillate on short, hairy peduncles in 2-flowered clusters surrounded by numerous awl-shaped, hairy bracts; calyx urn-shaped, 4-5-lobed; corolla 0; ovary 3-celled; styles 3.

FRUIT.--Ripens in autumn; a prickly bur borne on stout, hairy peduncles, persistent on the branch after the nuts have fallen; nuts usually 3, 3/4 inch long, sharply tetrahedral, brownish; sweet and edible.

WINTER-BUDS.--Nearly 1 inch long, very slender, cylindrical, gradually taper-pointed, brownish, puberulous.

BARK.--Twigs lustrous, olive-green, finally changing through brown to ashy gray; close, smooth, steel-gray on the trunk, often mottled by darker blotches and bands.

WOOD.--Hard, tough, strong, very close-grained, not durable, difficult to season, light or dark red, with thin, whitish sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Common in the Lower Peninsula, especially in the northern portions; rare in the Upper Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Prefers deep, rich, well-drained loam, but is found and does well on a great variety of soils.

NOTES.--Hardy throughout its range. Desirable for landscape work because of its clean trunk and limbs, deep shade, and freedom from insect pests. Often suckers from the roots.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Prickly bur, opened, × 1/2.
7. Nut, × 1/2.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Chestnut+

_Castanea dentata_ (_Marsh._) _Borkh._ [_Castanea vesca, v. americana Michx._] [_Castanea sativa, v. americana Sarg._]

HABIT.--A tree 60-80 feet high, forming a short, straight trunk 2-4 feet in diameter, divided not far above the ground into several stout, horizontal limbs and forming a broad, open, rounded crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 6-8 inches long, 2-3 inches broad; oblong-lanceolate, long-pointed at the apex; coarsely serrate with stout, incurved, glandular teeth; thin; dull yellow-green above, lighter beneath, glabrous; petioles short, stout, puberulous.

FLOWERS.--June-July, after the leaves; monoecious; the staminate catkins 6-8 inches long, slender, puberulous, bearing 3-7-flowered cymes of yellow-green flowers; calyx 6-cleft, pubescent; stamens 10-20; the androgynous catkins 2-1/2-5 inches long, puberulous, bearing 2-3 prickly involucres of pistillate flowers near their base; calyx campanulate, 6-lobed; styles 6.

FRUIT.--Ripens in autumn; round, thick, prickly burs, about 2 inches in diameter, containing 1-3 nuts; nuts compressed, brownish, coated with whitish down at the apex; sweet and edible.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds 1/4 inch long, ovoid, acute, brownish.

BARK.--Twigs lustrous, yellow-green, becoming olive-green and finally dark brown; old trunks gray-brown, with shallow fissures and broad, flat ridges.

WOOD.--Light, soft, coarse-grained, weak, easily split, very durable in contact with the soil, red-brown, with very thin, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--South-eastern Michigan, as far north as St. Clair County. Abundant in eastern Monroe County and Wayne County.

HABITAT.--Pastures; hillsides; glacial drift; well-drained, gravelly or rocky soil.

NOTES.--A rapid grower and living to a great age. Difficult to transplant. Subject to a disease which threatens extermination in this country.

+SUMMER KEY TO THE SPECIES OF QUERCUS+

a. Leaves deeply cut or lobed.

b. Leaf-lobes acute, bristle-tipped; fruit maturing in the
second season.

c. Lower surface of leaves more or less pubescent.

d. Leaf-lobes usually 7; buds hoary-tomentose; bark of trunk
deeply furrowed and scaly; inner bark yellow; cup-scales of
acorn hoary-pubescent; nut ovoid; large tree, common in
Michigan. _Q. velutina_, p. 117.

dd. Leaf-lobes usually 3 (at apex of the leaf only); buds
rusty-hairy; bark of trunk divided into nearly square plates;
inner bark not yellow; cup-scales of acorn rusty-tomentose;
nut subglobose; shrubby tree, rare in Michigan. _Q.
marilandica_, p. 119.

cc. Lower surface of leaves glabrous or nearly so.

d. Cup of acorn top-shaped or cup-shaped, inclosing one-third
to one-half of the nut.

e. Kernel of nut yellow; buds glabrous, lustrous, slightly
angular; inner bark of trunk yellow; trunk provided with pins
or stubs of dead branches near the ground. _Q. ellipsoidalis_, p. 115.

ee. Kernel of nut whitish; buds pubescent above the middle,
not angular; inner bark of trunk red; trunk not provided with
pins or stubs of branches near the ground. _Q. coccinea_, p. 113.

dd. Cup of acorn saucer-shaped, inclosing only the base of the
nut.

e. Upper surface of leaves usually lustrous, especially on the
lower branches; lowermost branches of trees growing in the
open drooping nearly to the ground; nut about 1/2 inch long
_Q. palustris_, p. 111.

ee. Upper surface of leaves usually dull; lowermost branches
of trees growing in the open not drooping; nut about 1 inch
long. _Q. rubra_, p. 109.

bb. Leaf-lobes rounded, not bristle-tipped; fruit maturing in
the first season.

c. Leaves cut nearly to the midrib by a pair of deep sinuses
near the middle of the leaf; branches corky-ridged; nut
1/2-1-1/2 inches long, deeply seated in a large, conspicuously
fringed cup. _Q. macrocarpa_, p. 103.

cc. Leaves not cut by a pair of deep sinuses; branches not
corky-ridged; nut about 3/4 inch long, about one-fourth
covered by a thin, tomentose, warty cup. _Q. alba_, p. 101.

aa. Leaves not deeply cut nor lobed.

b. Margin of leaf entire to sinuate-crenate, but not toothed;
acorns on stalks 1/2-4 inches long.

c. Margin of leaf entire, or only slightly undulate; acorns on
peduncles 1/2 inch long, the nut about 1/2 inch long; bark on
branches not breaking into large, papery scales. _Q.
imbricaria_, p. 121.

cc. Margin of leaf sinuate-crenate, rarely lobed; acorns on
stems 1-4 inches long, the nut about 1 inch long; bark on
branches breaking into large, papery scales which curl back
_Q. bicolor_, p. 105.

bb. Margin of leaf coarsely toothed; acorns sessile or on
stalks less than 1/2 inch long. _Q. muhlenbergii_, p. 107.

+WINTER KEY TO THE SPECIES OF QUERCUS+

a. Terminal buds usually about 1/8 inch long.

b. Twigs thick-tomentose; entire bud pale-pubescent; branches
corky-ridged; cup of acorn conspicuously fringed at the rim.
[1][G] _Q. macrocarpa_, p. 103.

bb. Twigs glabrous; buds glabrous, or only slightly or
partially pubescent; branches without corky ridges; cup of
acorn not conspicuously fringed at the rim.

c. Bark on branches breaking into large, papery scales which
curl back; buds pilose above the middle; acorns on pubescent
stems 1-4 inches long. [1] _Q. bicolor_, p. 105.

cc. Bark on branches not breaking into large, papery scales;
buds glabrous; acorns sessile or very short-stalked.

d. Bark of trunk ash-gray or nearly white, flaky; acorns
maturing in autumn of first season; kernel of nut sweet.

e. Buds conical, acute; bud-scales scarious on the margins;
nut white-downy at the apex. [1] _Q. muhlenbergii_, p. 107.

ee. Buds broadly ovoid, obtuse; bud-scales not scarious on the
margins; nut not white-downy at the apex. [1] _Q. alba_, p.
101.

dd. Bark of trunk light to dark brown, smoothish or only
slightly fissured; acorns maturing in autumn of second season;
kernel of nut bitter.

e. Lateral buds widely divergent; bud-scales scarious on the
margins; lowermost branches of trees growing in the open not
drooping nearly to the ground. [2] _Q. imbricaria_, p. 121.

ee. Lateral buds more or less appressed; bud-scales not
scarious on the margins; lowermost branches of trees growing
in the open drooping nearly to the ground. [2] _Q. palustris_,
p. 111.

aa. Terminal buds usually about 1/4 inch long (slightly
smaller in _Q. ellipsoidalis_).

b. Buds conspicuously hairy or tomentose.

c. Buds rusty-hairy, acute at the apex; cup-scales of acorn
rusty-tomentose; inner bark of trunk not yellow; shrubby tree,
rare in Michigan. [2] _Q. marilandica_, p. 119.

cc. Buds hoary-tomentose, obtuse at the apex; cup-scales of
acorn hoary-pubescent; inner bark of trunk yellow; large tree,
common in Michigan. [2] _Q. velutina_, p. 117.

bb. Buds glabrous, or pubescent only above the middle.

c. Buds strictly glabrous throughout, lustrous; inner bark of
trunk yellow or whitish.

d. Buds obtuse at the apex; trunk provided with pins or stubs
of dead branches near the ground; inner bark of trunk yellow;
nut 1/2-3/4 inch long, inclosed for one-third to one-half of
its length in a top-shaped cup; kernel of nut yellow. [2] _Q.
ellipsoidalis_, p. 115.

dd. Buds acute at the apex; trunk not provided with pins or
stubs of branches near the ground; inner bark of trunk
whitish; nut about 1 inch long, inclosed only at the base by a
shallow, saucer-shaped cup; kernel of nut white. [2] _Q.
rubra_, p. 109.

cc. Buds pale-pubescent above the middle, but usually glabrous
below, not lustrous; inner bark of trunk red. [2] _Q.
coccinea_, p. 113.

1. Winter twig, × 2.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+White Oak+

_Quercus alba L._

HABIT.--A large tree 60-80 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-4 feet; forming a short, thick trunk with stout, horizontal, far-reaching limbs, more or less gnarled and twisted in old age, and a broad, open crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 5-9 inches long, about one-half as broad; obovate to oblong; 5-9-lobed, some with broad lobes and shallow sinuses, others with narrow lobes and deep, narrow sinuses, the lobes usually entire; thin and firm; glabrous, bright green above, pale or glaucous beneath; often persistent on the tree through the winter.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in hairy catkins 2-3 inches long; the pistillate sessile or short-peduncled, reddish, tomentose; calyx campanulate, 6-8-lobed, yellow, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 6-8, with yellow anthers; stigmas red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of first season; sessile or short-stalked acorns; cup with small, brown-tomentose scales, inclosing one-fourth of the nut; nut oblong-ovoid, rounded at the apex, about 3/4 inch long, light brown; kernel sweet and edible.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/8 inch long, broadly ovoid, obtuse; scales smooth, dark red-brown.

BARK.--Twigs at first bright green, tomentose, later reddish, and finally ashy gray; thick, light gray or whitish on old trunks, shallowly fissured into broad, flat ridges.

WOOD.--Very heavy, strong, hard, tough, close-grained, durable, light brown, with thin, light brown sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Rare in the Upper Peninsula, common in the Lower Peninsula, especially in the lower half.

HABITAT.--Grows well in all but very wet soils, in all open exposures.

NOTES.--Slow and even of growth. Difficult to transplant.

1. Winter twig, × 2.
2. Leaf, × 1/3.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Bur Oak+

_Quercus macrocarpa Michx._

HABIT.--A large tree 60-80 feet high, with a trunk 2-4 feet in diameter; great, spreading branches form a broad, rugged crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 6-10 inches long and one-half as broad; obovate to oblong, wedge-shaped at the base; crenately lobed, usually cut nearly to the midrib by two opposite sinuses near the middle; thick and firm; dark green and shining above, pale-pubescent beneath; petioles short, stout.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in slender, hairy catkins 4-6 inches long; the pistillate sessile or short-stalked, reddish, tomentose; calyx 4-6-lobed, yellow-green, downy; corolla 0; stamens 4-6, with yellow anthers; stigmas bright red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of first season; sessile or short-stalked acorns; very variable in size and shape; cup typically deep, cup-shaped, tomentose, fringed at the rim, inclosing one-third or all of the nut; nut broad-ovoid, 1/2-1-1/2 inches long, brownish, pubescent; kernel white, sweet and edible.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/8 inch long, broadly ovoid or conical, red-brown, pale-pubescent.

BARK.--Twigs yellow-brown, thick-tomentose, becoming ash-gray or brownish; branches with corky ridges; thick and gray-brown on the trunk, deeply furrowed.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, tough, close-grained, very durable, brownish, with thin, pale sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Common throughout both peninsulas.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich, moist soil; bottom-lands; but is tolerant of many soils.

NOTES.--Rather slow of growth. Difficult to transplant.

1. Winter twig, × 2.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Swamp White Oak. Swamp Oak+

_Quercus bicolor Willd._ [_Quercus platanoides (Lam.) Sudw._]

HABIT.--A large tree 50-70 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet; forming a rather open, rugged crown of tortuous, pendulous branches and short, stiff, bushy spray.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 5-7 inches long, 3-5 inches broad; obovate to oblong-obovate; coarsely sinuate-crenate or shallow-lobed; thick and firm; dark green and shining above, whitish and more or less tomentose beneath; petioles stout, about 1/2 inch long.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in hairy catkins 3-4 inches long; the pistillate tomentose, on long, tomentose peduncles, in few-flowered spikes; calyx deeply 5-9-lobed, yellow-green, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 5-8, with yellow anthers; stigmas bright red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of first season; acorns on pubescent stems 1-4 inches long, usually in pairs; cup cup-shaped, with scales somewhat loose (rim often fringed), inclosing one-third of the nut; nut ovoid, light brown, pubescent at the apex, about 1 inch long; kernel white, sweet, edible.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/8 inch long, broadly ovoid to globose, obtuse; scales light brown, pilose above the middle.

BARK.--Twigs at first lustrous, green, becoming red-brown, finally dark brown and separating into large, papery scales which curl back; thick, gray-brown on the trunk, deeply fissured into broad, flat, scaly ridges.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, tough, coarse-grained, light brown, with thin, indistinguishable sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Southern half of Lower Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Prefers moist, rich soil bordering swamps and along streams.

NOTES.--Fairly rapid in growth and reasonably easy to transplant.

1. Winter twig, × 2.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Chinquapin Oak. Chestnut Oak. Yellow Oak+

_Quercus muhlenbergii Engelm._ [_Quercus acuminata (Michx.) Houba_]

HABIT.--A medium-sized tree 40-50 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-3 feet; erect, somewhat short branches form a narrow, rounded crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 4-7 inches long, 1-4 inches broad; oblong-lanceolate to obovate; coarsely toothed; thick and firm; lustrous, yellow-green above, pale-pubescent beneath; petioles slender, about 1 inch long.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in hairy catkins 3-4 inches long; the pistillate sessile or in short spikes, hoary-tomentose; calyx campanulate, 5-8-lobed, yellow, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 5-8, with yellow anthers; stigmas red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of first season; sessile or short-stalked acorns; cup with small scales, hoary-tomentose, inclosing one-half of the nut; nut ovoid, about 3/4 inch long, light brown; kernel sweet, sometimes edible.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/8 inch long, conical, acute; scales chestnut-brown, scarious on the margin.

BARK.--Twigs greenish at first, becoming gray-brown, finally gray or brown; thin, silvery gray or ash colored and flaky on the trunk.

WOOD.--Heavy, very hard, strong, close-grained, durable, dark brown, with thin, pale brown sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Confined to the southern half of the Lower Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Prefers a limestone soil; dry hillsides; rich bottom-lands; rocky river-banks.

NOTES.--Grows uniformly until maturity. Leaves resemble those of the Chestnut. A form which differs from the type in having broader, obovate leaves broadest above the middle and a flaky bark has been described and named _Quercus Alexanderi Britton_.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Red Oak+

_Quercus rubra L._

HABIT.--A large tree 70-80 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-4 feet; forming a broad, rounded crown of a few large, wide-spreading branches and slender branchlets.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 5-9 inches long, 4-6 inches broad; oval to obovate; 5-11-lobed with coarse-toothed, bristle-tipped lobes tapering from broad bases and wide, oblique, rounded sinuses; thin and firm; dull dark green above, paler beneath; petioles stout, 1-2 inches long.

FLOWERS.--April-May, when the leaves are half grown; monoecious; the staminate in hairy catkins 4-5 inches long; the pistillate on short, glabrous peduncles; calyx 4-5-lobed, greenish; corolla 0; stamens 4-5, with yellow anthers; stigmas long, spreading, bright green.

FRUIT.--Autumn of second season; sessile or short-stalked acorns; cup shallow, saucer-shaped, inclosing only the base of the nut; scales closely appressed, more or less glossy, puberulous, bright red-brown; nut oblong-ovoid with a broad base, about 1 inch long, red-brown; kernel white, very bitter.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/4 inch long, ovoid, acute, light brown, smooth.

BARK.--Twigs lustrous, green, becoming reddish, finally dark brown; young trunks smooth, gray-brown; old trunks darker, shallowly fissured into thin, firm, broad ridges; inner bark light red, not bitter.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, coarse-grained, light red-brown, with thin, darker colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Southern portion of Lower Peninsula as far north as Roscommon County.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich, moist loam; glacial drift; stream-banks. Grows well in all well-drained soils.

NOTES.--Grows rapidly. A good street tree.

1. Winter twig, × 3.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Pin Oak+

_Quercus palustris Muench._

HABIT.--A medium-sized tree 40-50 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet; forming an oblong or pyramidal crown of many upright, spreading branches, the lowermost drooping nearly to the ground.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 4-6 inches long, 2-4 inches broad; obovate to ovate; 5-7-lobed by deep, wide, rounded sinuses, the lobes few-toothed, bristle-tipped; thin and firm; very lustrous, dark green above, paler beneath; petioles slender.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in hairy catkins 2-4 inches long; the pistillate tomentose, borne on short, tomentose peduncles; calyx 4-5-lobed, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 4-5, with yellow anthers; stigmas recurved, bright red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of second season; sessile or short-stalked acorns; cup saucer-shaped with scales closely appressed, dark red-brown, inclosing only the base of the nut; nut nearly hemi-spherical, about 1/2 inch in diameter, light brown; kernel bitter.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/8 inch long, ovoid or conical, acute, light brown, smooth.

BARK.--Twigs dark red and tomentose at first, becoming lustrous, green, finally gray-brown; thick, gray-brown and smoothish on the trunk.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, coarse-grained, light brown, with thin, darker colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Confined to the most southern portions of the Lower Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Prefers moist, rich soil; river-bottoms; borders of swamps.

NOTES.--Grows rapidly and uniformly. Easily transplanted. The tiny branchlets at a distance give the impression of the tree being full of pins.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/2.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Scarlet Oak+

_Quercus coccinea Muench._

HABIT.--A tree 40-50 feet high and 12-15 inches in trunk diameter; long, slender branches form a rather open, rounded crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-6 inches long and nearly as broad; broadly obovate to oval; 5-9-lobed by deep, wide, rounded sinuses, the lobes toothed and bristle-tipped; thin and firm; shining, bright green above, paler beneath, both sides glabrous; turning brilliant scarlet in autumn; petioles slender, 1-2 inches long.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in glabrous catkins 3-4 inches long; the pistillate on pubescent peduncles 1/2 inch long, bright red, pubescent; calyx 4-5-lobed, reddish, pubescent; corolla 0; stamens usually 4, with yellow anthers; stigmas long, spreading, bright red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of second season; sessile or short-stalked acorns; cup top-shaped to cup-shaped, with closely imbricated, slightly puberulous, red-brown scales, inclosing about one-half of the nut; nut usually short-ovoid, 1/2-3/4 inch long, light red-brown; kernel whitish, bitter.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud about 1/4 inch long, broadly ovoid, acute, dark red-brown, pale-pubescent above the middle.

BARK.--Twigs at first scurfy-pubescent, later lustrous, green, finally smooth, light brown; thick, dark gray or brown on old trunks, shallowly fissured, scaly; inner bark red, not bitter.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, coarse-grained, light red-brown, with thick, darker brown sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Lower Peninsula, southern half.

HABITAT.--Prefers a light, dry, sandy soil.

NOTES.--Rapid of growth. Desirable for ornamental planting.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/2.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Hill's Oak. Northern Pin Oak. Black Oak+

_Quercus ellipsoidalis E. J. Hill_

HABIT.--A tree 50-60 feet high, with a short trunk 2-3 feet in diameter; forming a rather narrow, oblong crown of upright and horizontal branches. Many small, drooping branches are sent out near the ground, which eventually die; and it is to the stubs or pins which persist about the trunk that the appelation Pin Oak is due.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-7 inches long and about as broad; oval to nearly orbicular; narrowly 5-7-lobed by deep, wide, rounded sinuses, the lobes few-toothed, bristle-tipped; thin and firm; lustrous, bright green above, paler beneath, both sides glabrous except for the tufts of hairs in the axils of the veins beneath; petioles slender, glabrous.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in puberulous catkins 2-3 inches long; the pistillate red, tomentose, borne on stout, tomentose, 1-3-flowered peduncles; calyx 2-5-lobed or-parted, glabrous except at the apex, which is fringed with long, twisted hairs; corolla 0; stamens 2-5, with short filaments; stigmas 3, recurved, dark red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of second season; short-stalked or nearly sessile acorns; cup top-shaped, with scales thin, puberulous, inclosing one-third to one-half of the nut; nut ellipsoid, 1/2-3/4 inch long, light brown, puberulous; kernel yellow, bitter.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/8-1/4 inch long, ovoid, rather obtuse, slightly angular, lustrous, red-brown.

BARK.--Twigs bright red-brown, covered with matted, pale hairs, becoming glabrous, dark gray or brown; thin, dull gray to dark brown, rather smooth or closely ribbed on the trunk; inner bark yellow.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, coarse-grained, red-brown, with thin, paler sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--South-western part of the Lower Peninsula, but limits not definitely known.

HABITAT.--Well-drained uplands, especially on clays; occasionally on the borders of ponds and in low woods.

NOTES.--A new and comparatively little known species.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Yellow Oak. Black Oak+

_Quercus velutina Lam._

HABIT.--A medium-sized tree 50-60 feet high and 1-3 feet in trunk diameter; slender branches and stout branchlets form a wide-spreading, rounded crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 5-10 inches long, 3-8 inches broad; ovate to oblong; usually 7-lobed, some with shallow sinuses and broad, rounded, mucronate lobes, others with wide, rounded sinuses extending half-way to the midrib or farther and narrow-oblong or triangular, bristle-tipped lobes, the lobes more or less coarse-toothed, each tooth bristle-tipped; thick and leathery; dark green and shining above, pale and more or less pubescent beneath; petioles stout, yellow, 3-6 inches long.

FLOWERS.--May, when the leaves are half grown; monoecious; the staminate in pubescent catkins 4-6 inches long; the pistillate reddish, on short, tomentose peduncles; calyx acutely 3-4-lobed, reddish, hairy; corolla 0; stamens usually 4-5, with acute, yellow anthers; stigmas 3, divergent, red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of second season; sessile or short-stalked acorns; cup cup-shaped or turbinate, inclosing about one-half of the nut; scales thin, light brown, hoary; nut ovoid, 1/2-3/4 inch long, red-brown, often pubescent; kernel yellow, bitter.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/4 inch long, ovoid to conical, obtuse, strongly angled, hoary-tomentose.

BARK.--Twigs at first scurfy-pubescent, later glabrous, red-brown, finally mottled gray; thick and nearly black on old trunks, deeply furrowed and scaly; inner bark thick, yellow, very bitter.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, coarse-grained, bright red-brown, with thin, paler sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Southern half of the Lower Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Prefers glacial drift; dry or gravelly uplands; poor soils.

NOTES.--Rapid of growth. Undesirable for street use.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/2.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Black Jack+

_Quercus marilandica Muench._

HABIT.--A small, shrubby tree 20-30 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 6-14 inches; spreading, often contorted branches form a rounded or obovoid crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 5-7 inches long and broad; broad-obovate; more or less 3-lobed at the apex, the lobes entire or toothed, bristle-tipped, very variable in size and shape; thick and leathery; very lustrous and dark green above, yellowish and scurfy-pubescent beneath; petioles short, stout.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in slender, hoary catkins 2-4 inches long; the pistillate rusty-tomentose, on short, rusty-tomentose peduncles; calyx 4-5-lobed, thin, scarious, tinged with red, pale-pubescent; corolla 0; stamens 4, with apiculate, red anthers; stigmas recurved, dark red.

FRUIT.--Autumn of second season; short-stalked acorns; cup turbinate, with large, red-brown, rusty-tomentose scales, inclosing about one-half of the nut; nut subglobose, about 3/4 inch long, yellow-brown, puberulous; kernel yellowish.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/4 inch long, ovoid, acute, prominently angled; scales light red-brown, rusty-hairy.

BARK.--Twigs at first light red and scurfy, later glabrous, red-brown, and finally brown or ashy gray; thick and almost black on the trunk, divided into nearly square plates.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, dark brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Southern Michigan (Ann Arbor and Lansing).

HABITAT.--Dry, sandy or clay barrens.

NOTES.--Rare in Michigan.

1. Winter twig, × 2.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/2.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1.]

+FAGACEAE+

+Shingle Oak+

_Quercus imbricaria Michx._

HABIT.--A tree 40-50 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet; forming a rather open, rounded crown of slender, horizontal branches.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 4-6 inches long, 1-2 inches broad; oblong-lanceolate to oblong-obovate; entire or somewhat undulate; thin, very lustrous, dark green above, paler and pubescent beneath; petioles stout, pubescent, 1/2 inch long.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; the staminate in slender, hoary-tomentose catkins 2-3 inches long; the pistillate on slender, tomentose peduncles; calyx 4-lobed, yellow, downy; corolla 0; stamens 4-5, with yellow anthers; stigmas short, recurved, greenish yellow.

FRUIT.--Autumn of second season; acorns on stout peduncles 1/2 inch long; cup cup-shaped, with red-brown, downy scales, inclosing one-third to one-half of the nut; nut subglobose, about 1/2 inch long, dark brown, often striate; kernel very bitter.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/8 inch long, ovoid, acute, lustrous, brown.

BARK.--Twigs lustrous, dark green, becoming brown; thick on old trunks, light brown and slightly fissured.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, coarse-grained, light red-brown, with thin, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Of rare occurrence in Michigan. Reported in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Washtenaw Counties, Lower Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Rich uplands; fertile river-bottoms.

NOTES.--Desirable for ornamental uses. Hardy. Rapid of growth.

+SUMMER KEY TO THE SPECIES OF ULMUS+

a. Leaves essentially smooth on both sides; branches often
with corky, wing-like ridges; lowermost branches usually short
and strongly drooping; main trunk usually continuous into the
crown without dividing, giving to the tree a narrow-oblong
outline. _U. racemosa_, p. 129.

aa. Leaves usually rough on one or on both sides; branches
without corky ridges; lowermost branches not short, not
strongly drooping; main trunk usually dividing into several
large limbs, giving to the tree a more or less vase-shaped
outline.

b. Leaves usually rough above, but smooth beneath, with
petioles glabrous; bark of trunk gray, deeply fissured into
broad, scaly ridges; inner bark not mucilaginous. _U.
americana_, p. 127.

bb. Leaves usually rough both sides, with petioles hairy; bark
of trunk dark red-brown, shallowly fissured into large, loose
plates; inner bark mucilaginous. _U. fulva_, p. 125.

+WINTER KEY TO THE SPECIES OF ULMUS+

a. Buds conspicuously rusty-tomentose; twigs more or less
pubescent; inner bark very mucilaginous when chewed. _U.
fulva_, p. 125.

aa. Buds not conspicuously rusty-tomentose; twigs glabrous;
inner bark not mucilaginous.

b. Bundle-scars usually 3; buds 1/8 inch long, glabrous; twigs
without corky ridges; outline of tree vase-shaped. _U.
americana_, p. 127.

bb. Bundle-scars usually 4-6 in a curved line; buds 1/4 inch
long, somewhat pilose; twigs often with corky ridges; outline
of tree narrow-oblong. _U. racemosa_, p. 129.

1. Winter twig, × 2.
2. Leaf, × 1.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1.
4. Perfect flower, enlarged.
5. Fruit, × 1.]

+URTICACEAE+

+Slippery Elm. Red Elm+

_Ulmus fulva Michx._ [_Ulmus pubescens Walt._]

HABIT.--A medium-sized tree 40-60 feet high, with a short trunk 1-2 feet in diameter; spreading branches form a broad, open, flat-topped crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 4-7 inches long, about one-half as broad; ovate-oblong; coarsely doubly serrate; thick and firm; dark green and rough above, paler and somewhat rough beneath; petioles short, stout, hairy.

FLOWERS.--March-April, before the leaves; mostly perfect; borne on short pedicels in crowded fascicles; calyx campanulate, 5-9-lobed, green, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 5-9, with dark red anthers; stigmas 2, reddish purple.

FRUIT.--May; semi-orbicular, 1-seeded samaras, short-stalked in dense clusters; seed cavity brown-tomentose; wings smooth, nearly 3/4 inch long.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds ovoid, obtuse, dark brown, rusty-tomentose, 1/4 inch long.

BARK.--Twigs at first bright green and pubescent, becoming light to dark brown or grayish; thick on old trunks, dark red-brown, shallowly fissured into large, loose plates; inner bark mucilaginous.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, very close-grained, durable, easy to split while green, dark red-brown, with thin, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Of frequent occurrence throughout the state.

HABITAT.--Prefers stream-banks and bottom-lands; rich, moist hillsides; rocky ridges and slopes.

NOTES.--Grows more rapidly than _U. americana_.

1. Winter twig, × 2.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Flower, enlarged.
5. Fruit, × 2.]

+URTICACEAE+

+White Elm. American Elm. Water Elm+

_Ulmus americana L._

HABIT.--A tree 75-100 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-6 feet; commonly dividing 20-30 feet above the ground into a few large branches which rise upward and outward to form a vase-shaped outline.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 4-6 inches long, one-half as broad; obovate-oblong to oval; coarsely doubly serrate; thick and firm; dark green and rough above, pale and pubescent or glabrous beneath; petioles short and stout.

FLOWERS.--March-April, before the leaves; mostly perfect; small, brown to red; borne on slender pedicels in loose fascicles; calyx campanulate, 5-9-lobed; corolla 0; stamens 4-9, with bright red anthers; ovary 2-celled; styles 2, green.

FRUIT.--May; ovate, 1-seeded samaras, smooth both sides, hairy on the margin, 1/2 inch long, long-stemmed in crowded clusters.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds ovoid, acute, flattened, glabrous, brown, 1/8 inch long.

BARK.--Twigs at first light green and downy, becoming glabrous, red-brown, finally ash-gray; on old trunks thick, ash-gray, deeply fissured into broad, scaly ridges.

WOOD.--Heavy, hard, strong, tough, difficult to split, coarse-grained, light brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Common throughout the state.

HABITAT.--Prefers deep, rich, moist loam; bottom-lands; stream-banks.

NOTES.--Grows rapidly. Long-lived. The roots run along near the surface of the ground for a great distance. An ideal street tree.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1.
5. Flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1.]

+URTICACEAE+

+Cork Elm. Rock Elm+

_Ulmus racemosa Thomas_ [_Ulmus Thomasi Sarg._]

HABIT.--A large tree sometimes reaching a height of 100 feet and a trunk diameter of 5 feet, but usually somewhat smaller; strongly drooping lateral and lower branches form a narrow, oblong crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-6 inches long, one-half as broad; obovate to oblong-oval, more or less dished; coarsely doubly serrate; thick and firm; lustrous, dark green above, pale-pubescent beneath; petioles pubescent, 1/4 inch long.

FLOWERS.--March-April, before the leaves; mostly perfect; greenish; borne on slender, drooping pedicels in loose racemes; calyx campanulate, 7-8-lobed; corolla 0; stamens 7-8, with purple anthers; ovary hairy, 2-styled.

FRUIT.--May; ovate, 1-seeded samaras, pubescent all over, 1/2 inch long.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds ovoid, acute, brown, pilose, 1/4 inch long.

BARK.--Twigs at first light brown and pubescent, becoming lustrous, red-brown, finally gray-brown with corky, wing-like ridges; thick and grayish on the trunk, with wide fissures separating broad, flat, scaly ridges.

WOOD.--Heavy, very strong and tough, close-grained, light red-brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Frequent in the southern third of the Lower Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Dry, gravelly uplands; rocky ridges and slopes; heavy clay soils; river-banks.

NOTES.--A good street tree, but less graceful in habit than _U. americana_.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 3/4.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1.]

+URTICACEAE+

+Hackberry. Nettle-tree+

_Celtis occidentalis L._

HABIT.--A medium-sized tree, 40-60 feet high, with a short, straight trunk 1-2 feet in diameter which branches a few feet from the ground into a few large limbs and many slender, horizontal, zigzag branches, forming a broad, rounded crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 2-4 inches long and one-half as broad; ovate to ovate-lanceolate, oblique at the base, usually long-pointed; coarsely serrate above the entire base; thin; glabrous, light green above, paler beneath, turning light yellow late in autumn; petioles short, slender, hairy.

FLOWERS.--May, with or soon after the leaves; polygamo-monoecious; greenish; inconspicuous; on slender pedicels; the staminate in clusters at the base of the shoot, the pistillate usually solitary in the axils of the upper leaves; calyx greenish, deeply 5-lobed; corolla 0; stamens 5; ovary 1-celled.

FRUIT.--September-October, remaining on the tree through the winter; slender-stalked, fleshy, globular drupes, 1/4 inch long, dark purple; edible.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds light brown, 1/4 inch long, ovoid, acute, flattened, the tip appressed.

BARK.--Twigs greenish, puberulous, becoming lustrous, red-brown in their first winter; on old trunks thick, light brown or silvery gray, broken into deep, short ridges or warty excrescences.

WOOD.--Heavy, soft, coarse-grained, weak, light yellow, with thick, whitish sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Common throughout the Lower Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil, but will grow on gravelly or rocky hillsides. Common along river-banks.

NOTES.--Hardy throughout its range. Grows slowly and irregularly in youth. Easily transplanted. Not desirable as a street tree, but appears well in ornamental grounds. Very tolerant of shade.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruit, × 1/4.]

+URTICACEAE+

+Osage Orange+

_Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneider_ [_Toxylon pomiferum Raf._] [_Maclura aurantiaca Nutt._]

HABIT.--A tree 20-30 feet high, with a short trunk 1-2 feet in diameter; divides into a few large limbs with curving branches, forming a symmetrical, rounded crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-5 inches long, 2-3 inches broad; ovate to oblong-lanceolate; entire; thick and firm; dark green and shining above, paler beneath; petioles slender, pubescent, 1-1/2-2 inches long.

FLOWERS.--June, after the leaves; dioecious; the staminate slender-pedicelled, borne in a dense raceme at the end of long, slender, drooping peduncles; the pistillate in dense, globose heads at the end of short, stout peduncles; calyx 4-lobed, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 4; style covered with white, stigmatic hairs.

FRUIT.--Autumn; pale green, orange-like, 4-5 inches in diameter, composed of numerous small drupes, crowded and grown together.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds depressed-globular, partly hidden in the bark, pale brown.

BARK.--Twigs at first bright green, pubescent, becoming orange-brown and armed with stout, straight, axillary spines; dark orange-brown on the trunk and deeply furrowed.

WOOD.--Heavy, very hard and strong, flexible, coarse-grained, very durable, bright orange, with thin, lemon colored sapwood.

NOTES.--A native of the South, but hardy throughout Michigan. A desirable ornamental tree. Extensively planted for hedges.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Spike of staminate flowers, × 1.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Spike of pistillate flowers, × 1.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruit, × 1.]

+URTICACEAE+

+Red Mulberry+

_Morus rubra L._

HABIT.--A small tree 20-30 feet high, with a short trunk 10-15 inches in diameter; forming a dense, round-topped crown of stout, spreading branches and more or less zigzag, slender branchlets.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-5 inches long, nearly as broad; outline variable, ovate to semi-orbicular, often 3-5-lobed; coarsely serrate; thin; dark blue-green and smooth or rough above, pale and more or less downy beneath; petioles 1-2 inches long, smooth, exuding a milky juice when cut.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious or dioecious; the staminate in dense spikes 1-2 inches long, on short, hairy peduncles; the pistillate in dense spikes about 1 inch long, on short, hairy peduncles; calyx 4-lobed, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 4, with green anthers; stigmas 2, spreading.

FRUIT.--July; 1 inch long; consisting of drupes about 1/32 inch long, each inclosed in a thickened, fleshy calyx; berry-like; bright red at first, finally blackish; sweet, juicy, edible.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds ovoid, abruptly pointed, 1/4 inch long, lustrous, light brown.

BARK.--Twigs greenish and more or less downy, becoming smooth and brownish; trunk dark brown tinged with red and more or less furrowed.

WOOD.--Light, soft, weak, rather tough, coarse-grained, very durable, pale orange, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Southern portion of the Lower Peninsula, as far north as the Muskegon river.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich soil in river-bottoms.

NOTES.--Easily transplanted. Grows rapidly in good, moist soil.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Leaf, × 1/2.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Fruit (opened and partly disseminated), × 1/2.]

+MAGNOLIACEAE+

+Tulip Poplar. Tulip-tree. White-wood+

_Liriodendron tulipifera L._

HABIT.--A large tree 70-100 feet high, with a columnar trunk 2-5 feet in diameter; forming a rather open, conical crown of slender branches.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 5-6 inches long and broad; 4-lobed; entire; lustrous, dark green above, pale or glaucous beneath, turning clear yellow in autumn; petioles slender, angled, 5-6 inches long.

FLOWERS.--May-June, after the leaves; perfect; terminal; solitary on stout peduncles; tulip-shaped, greenish yellow, 1-1/2-2 inches long; sepals 3, greenish, early deciduous; petals 6, in 2 rows, greenish yellow with an orange spot at the base, early deciduous; stamens numerous, somewhat shorter than the petals; pistils numerous, clinging together about a central axis; ovary 1-celled.

FRUIT.--September-October; a narrow, light brown cone 2-1/2-3 inches long, composed of numerous carpels; carpels long, flat, with a 1-2-seeded nutlet at the base, separating from the slender spindle at maturity.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/2-1 inch long, obtuse, flattish, dark red, covered with a glaucous bloom.

BARK.--Twigs smooth, lustrous, reddish, becoming brownish, and at length gray; ashy gray, thin and scaly on young trunks, becoming thick, brownish, and deeply furrowed with age.

WOOD.--Light, soft, brittle, weak, easily worked, light yellow or brown, with thin, cream-white sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Lower Peninsula south of the Grand River. Formerly common, but becoming rare.

HABITAT.--Prefers deep, rich, rather moist soil, but adapts itself readily to any good, light soil.

NOTES.--Difficult to transplant, but rapid of growth when once established. Not disfigured by insect enemies. Good for ornamental planting.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaves, × 1/2.
4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Staminate flower, enlarged.
6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruit, × 1/2.]

+LAURACEAE+

+Sassafras+

_Sassafras variifolium (Salisb.) Ktse._ [_Sassafras sassafras (L.) Karst._] [_Sassafras officinale Nees & Eberm._]

HABIT.--Usually a large shrub, but often a small tree 20-40 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 10-20 inches; stout, often contorted branches and a bushy spray form a flat, rather open crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-6 inches long, 2-4 inches broad; oval to oblong or obovate; entire or 1-3-lobed with deep, broad sinuses and finger-like lobes; thin; dull dark green above, paler beneath; petioles slender, about 1 inch long.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; dioecious; greenish yellow; on slender pedicels, in loose, drooping, few-flowered racemes 2 inches long; calyx deeply 6-lobed, yellow-green; corolla 0; stamens of staminate flower 9, in 3 rows, of pistillate flower 6, in 1 row; ovary 1-celled.

FRUIT.--September-October; an oblong-globose, lustrous, dark blue berry, 3/8 inch long, surrounded at the base by the scarlet calyx, borne on club-shaped, bright red pedicels.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal buds 1/3 inch long, ovoid, acute, greenish, soft-pubescent, flower-bearing; lateral buds much smaller, sterile or leaf-bearing. Aromatic.

BARK.--Twigs glabrous, lustrous, yellow-green, spicy-aromatic, becoming red-brown and shallowly fissured when 2-3 years old; thick, dark red-brown and deeply and irregularly fissured into firm, flat ridges on old trunks.

WOOD.--Soft, weak, brittle, coarse-grained, very durable in the soil, aromatic, dull orange-brown, with thin, light yellow sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Southern portion of Lower Peninsula as far north as Grayling.

HABITAT.--Prefers well-drained, stony or sandy soil; woods; abandoned fields; peaty swamps.

NOTES.--Rapid of growth. Suckers freely. Difficult to transplant. Propagated easily from seed.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, side view, × 1.
3. Vertical section of twig, summer
bud and leaf petiole, enlarged.
4. Leaf, × 3/8.
5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
6. Staminate flower, enlarged.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruit, × 3/8.
9. Achene, enlarged.]

+PLATANACEAE+

+Sycamore. Button-wood. Buttonball-tree+

_Platanus occidentalis L._

HABIT.--A large tree 70-100 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 3-8 feet; commonly dividing near the ground into several large secondary trunks, forming a broad, open, irregular crown of massive, spreading branches.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 5-10 inches long and broad; broadly ovate in outline; more or less 3-5-lobed by broad, shallow sinuses, the lobes sinuate-toothed; thin and firm; bright green above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides; petioles stout, puberulous, 1-2 inches long.

FLOWERS.--May, with the leaves; monoecious; borne in dense heads; the staminate dark red, on short, axillary peduncles; the pistillate greenish, on long, slender, terminal peduncles; sepals 3-6, minute; petals 3-6, minute; stamens 3-6, usually 4; styles long, incurved, red.

FRUIT.--October, persistent on the limbs through the winter; brown heads about 1 inch in diameter, on slender, glabrous stems 3-6 inches long.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud absent; lateral buds 1/4-3/8 inch long, conical, blunt, lustrous, pale brown; forming in summer within the petiole of the leaf.

BARK.--Twigs pale green and tomentose, becoming smooth, dark green, finally grayish; thick, red-brown on the trunk and broken into oblong, plate-like scales, separating higher up into thin plates which peel off, exposing the greenish or yellowish inner bark.

WOOD.--Heavy, tough, hard, rather weak, coarse-grained, difficult to split, light red-brown, with thick, darker colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Lower Peninsula as far north as Roscommon County.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich bottom-lands along the borders of rivers and lakes.

NOTES.--Rapid of growth. Bears transplanting well. Often planted as a shade tree. Fungous diseases disfigure it seriously.

+SUMMER KEY TO THE SPECIES OF PYRUS+

a. Leaves simple; fruit a light green pome an inch or more in
diameter; branches contorted, bearing many short, spur-like
branchlets. _P. coronaria_, p. 145.

aa. Leaves compound; fruit berry-like, 1/4 inch in diameter,
bright red; branches not contorted, not bearing many short,
spur-like branchlets. _P. americana_, p. 147.

+WINTER KEY TO THE SPECIES OF PYRUS+

a. Bundle-scars 3 or in 3 compound, but distinct groups; buds
1/8-1/4 inch long; branches contorted, bearing many short,
spur-like branchlets; fruit a pome an inch or more in diameter,
light green. _P. coronaria_, p. 145.

aa. Bundle-scars 4-many in a single U-shaped line, not forming
3 distinct groups; buds about 1/2 inch long; branches not
contorted, not bearing many short, spur-like branchlets; fruit
berry-like, 1/4 inch in diameter, bright red. _P. americana_,
p. 147.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 3/4.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Vertical section of flower
with petals removed, × 1/2.
6. Fruit, × 1/2.]

+ROSACEAE+

+Sweet Crab. American Crab+

_Pyrus coronaria L._ [_Malus coronaria Mill._]

HABIT.--Often a bushy shrub, but frequently a small tree 15-25 feet high, with a trunk 8-12 inches in diameter; forming a broad, rounded crown of rigid, contorted branches bearing many short, spur-like branchlets.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-4 inches long, almost as broad; ovate to nearly triangular; sharply and deeply serrate, sometimes lobed; membranaceous; bright green above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides; petioles long, slender, often with two dark glands near the middle.

FLOWERS.--May, after the leaves; perfect; 1-1/2-2 inches across; very fragrant; borne on slender pedicels in 5-6-flowered umbels; calyx urn-shaped, 5-lobed, tomentose; petals 5, rose colored to white; stamens 10-20; ovary hairy; styles 5.

FRUIT.--October; a depressed-globose pome, 1-1-1/2 inches in diameter, pale green, very fragrant, with a waxy surface.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud 1/8-1/4 inch long, obtuse, bright red; lateral buds smaller.

BARK.--Twigs at first hoary-tomentose, becoming glabrous, red-brown; thin, red-brown, breaking into longitudinal fissures on the trunk.

WOOD.--Heavy, rather soft, close-grained, weak, red-brown, with thick, yellow sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Southern portion of the Lower Peninsula as far north as Roscommon County.

HABITAT.--Rich, moist, but well-drained soil in thickets and along streams.

NOTES.--An excellent ornamental tree or shrub for small gardens and shrubberies. The fruit is sometimes gathered for making preserves.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/3.
4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
5. Portion of a fruiting cyme, × 1.]

+ROSACEAE+

+Mountain Ash+

_Pyrus americana (Marsh.) DC._ [_Sorbus americana Marsh._]

HABIT.--A small tree 15-20 feet high, with a trunk diameter of not over a foot; branches slender, spreading, forming a narrow, rounded crown.

LEAVES.--Alternate, compound, 6-9 inches long. Leaflets 9-17, 2-3 inches long and 1/2-3/4 inch broad; sessile or nearly so, except the terminal; lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, taper-pointed; finely and sharply serrate above the entire base; membranaceous; glabrous, dark yellow-green above, paler beneath, turning clear yellow in autumn. Petioles slender, grooved, enlarged at the base.

FLOWERS.--May-June, after the leaves; perfect; 1/8 inch across; borne on short, stout pedicels in many-flowered, flat cymes 3-5 inches across; calyx urn-shaped, 5-lobed, puberulous; petals 5, white; stamens numerous; styles 2-3.

FRUIT.--October, but persistent on the tree throughout the winter; a berry-like pome, subglobose, 1/4 inch in diameter, bright red, with thin, acid flesh; eaten by birds in the absence of other food.

WINTER-BUDS.--Terminal bud about 1/2 inch long, ovoid, acute, with curved apex; lateral buds smaller, appressed; scales rounded on the back, purplish red, more or less pilose above, gummy.

BARK.--Twigs at first red-brown and hairy, becoming glabrous, dark brown; thin, light gray-brown on the trunk, smooth, or slightly roughened on old trees; inner bark fragrant.

WOOD.--Light, soft, close-grained, weak, pale brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Ludington and northward, principally along the shore of L. Michigan, but common throughout the Upper Peninsula.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich, moist soil on river-banks and on the borders of cold swamps; rocky hillsides and mountains.

NOTES.--More often a shrub. Easily transplanted, but slow of growth. One of the most beautiful trees of our northern forests.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.]

+ROSACEAE+

+Serviceberry+

_Amelanchier canadensis (L.) Medic._

HABIT.--A small tree 25-40 feet in height, with a tall trunk 6-12 inches in diameter; forming a narrow, rounded crown of many small limbs and slender branchlets.

LEAVES.--Alternate, simple, 3-4 inches long and about one-half as broad; ovate to obovate; finely and sharply serrate; glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath; petioles slender, about 1 inch long.

FLOWERS.--April, when the leaves are about one-third grown; perfect; large, white, borne in drooping racemes 3-5 inches long; calyx 5-cleft, campanulate, villous on the inner surface; petals 5, strap-shaped, white, about 1 inch in length; stamens numerous; styles 5, united below.

FRUIT.--June-August; globular, berry-like pome, 1/3-1/2 inch long; turning from bright red to dark purple with slight bloom; sweet and edible when ripe.

WINTER-BUDS.--Yellow-brown, narrow-ovoid to conical, sharp-pointed, 1/4-1/2 inch long; bud-scales apiculate, slightly pubescent.

BARK.--Twigs smooth, light green, becoming red-brown; thin, pale red-brown on the trunk, smoothish or divided by shallow fissures into narrow, longitudinal, scaly ridges.

WOOD.--Heavy, very hard, strong, close-grained, dark red-brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.--Common throughout the state.

HABITAT.--Prefers rich soil of dry, upland woods and hillsides.

NOTES.--Hardy throughout the state. Grows in all soils and situations except in wet lands.

_Crataegus punctata Jacq._

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Leaf, × 1.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
5. Fruit, × 1.]

+ROSACEAE+

+The Haws, Thorns, Hawthorns or Thorn-apples+

_Crataegus L._

Owing to the complexity of the various forms in this group, the present state of uncertainty as to the value of certain characters, and the questionable validity of many of the assigned names, it is thought to be beyond the scope of this bulletin to give more than a general description of the group as a whole, recommending the more ambitious student to the various manuals and botanical journals and papers for more detailed information.

The _Crataegi_ are generally low, wide-spreading trees or shrubs, with strong, tortuous branches and more or less zigzag branchlets usually armed with stiff, sharp thorns. The bark varies from dark red to gray and is shallowly fissured or scaly. The leaves are alternate, simple, generally serrate, often lobed, with short or long petioles. The flowers appear in May or June, with or after the leaves, in simple or compound corymbs, whitish or pinkish, perfect. The fruit is a red to yellow, sometimes blue or black pome, subglobose to pear-shaped, with usually dry and mealy flesh and 1-5 seeds. The winter-buds are small, nearly globose, lustrous brown. _Crataegus_ produces wood which is heavy, hard, tough, close-grained, red-brown, with thick, pale sapwood. The Haws are trees of the pasture-lands, the roadside, the open woods and the stream-banks, and are more common in the southern than in the northern portions of the state. Some of the species are desirable as ornaments in parks and gardens on account of their beautiful and abundant flowers and showy fruits.

+SUMMER KEY TO THE SPECIES OF PRUNUS+

a. Leaves oblong-ovate to obovate, abruptly acuminate at the
apex; marginal teeth not incurved.

b. Margin of leaves sharp-serrate with spreading teeth; leaves
not rugose, the veins not prominent; fruit 1/4-1/2 inch long,
bright red, racemose, July-August; bark of trunk brown, smooth
or only slightly fissured; usually a large shrub. _P.
virginiana_, p. 157.

bb. Margin of leaves crenate-serrate; leaves more or less
rugose, the veins prominent; fruit about 1 inch long
orange-red, clustered, August-September; bark of trunk
gray-brown, early splitting off in large, thick plates; a small
tree. _P. nigra_, p. 161.

aa. Leaves oval to oblong-lanceolate, taper-pointed at the
apex; marginal teeth incurved.

b. Fruit light red, clustered, July-August; twigs usually less
than 1/16 inch thick; pith of twigs brown; tree northern. _P.
pennsylvanica_, p. 139.

bb. Fruit black, racemose, August-September; twigs usually more
than 1/16 inch thick; pith of twigs white; tree southern. _P.
serotina_, p. 155.

+WINTER KEY TO THE SPECIES OF PRUNUS+

a. Terminal bud present; bark of young trunks rather smooth.

b. Buds clustered at the tips of all shoots; twigs usually less
than 1/16 inch thick; pith of twigs brown. _P. pennsylvanica_,
p. 159.

bb. Buds not clustered, or clustered only on short, spur-like
branchlets; twigs usually more than 1/16 inch thick; pith of
twigs white.

c. Buds usually 1/4 inch or less in length; bud-scales uniform
in color, apiculate at the apex; bark on old trunks blackish,
rough-scaly; small to large tree. _P. serotina_, p. 155.

cc. Buds usually 1/4-1/2 inch long; bud-scales grayish on the
margins, rounded at the apex; bark on old trunks brown, smooth
or only slightly fissured; usually a large shrub. _P.
virginiana_, p. 157.

aa. Terminal bud absent; bark of young trunks early splitting
off in large, thick plates. _P. nigra_, p. 161.

1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 3/4.
4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.
5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
7. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.]

+ROSACEAE+

+Black Cherry+

_Prunus serotina Ehrh._ [_Padus serotina (Ehrh.) Agardh._]

HABIT.--A medium-sized tree 40-50 feet high and 8-36 inches in trunk diameter; branches few, large, tortuous, forming a rather spreading, oblong or rounded crown.