Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (21) View all

Common forest trees of North Carolina

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  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-9736.jpg
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  • •e>-&^,<j~t?.^s ^-^po^^s -e> T TREES. S-<5>-^frxKJI?- -e> SILVERBELL (Halesia Carolina L.) THIS tree occurs in its best development in the Great Smoky Mountains, but extends throughout the whole mountainous region. It attains a height of about 100 feet and a diameter of 30 inches or more, but only in favorable localities does it grow large enough for commercial use. It is commonly found along the upper watercourses. It is occasionally planted, as it makes a desirable ornamental tree. The leaves are simple, opposite, oval, pointed, thin, finely toothed, and vary in length from 4 to 6 inches. The bark ranges in color from very light gray in young trees to a very dark reddish brown in old trees. It separates into scales and strips as the tree grows older. The flowers are white or sometimes tinged with pink, nearly an inch long, and appear in early spring with the unfolding of the leaves. The pendent, bell-like flowers suggest the names silverbell and snowdrop tree. The fruit is from 1 to 2 inches long and nearly an inch wide, with a corky, four-winged covering. The solitary seed is a bony stone. The wood is soft, light cherry-colored streaked with white; the sapwrood is white or creamy. Where large enough, it is cut for lumber and used as a substitute for cherry. The large commercial tree is by some considered a separate species, Ealcsia monticola Sarg. SILVERBELL Leaf, one-half natural size. Twig, one-third natural size. 74
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