Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Report of the Secretary of Agriculture in relation to the forests, rivers, and mountains of the southern Appalachian region

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  • 96 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REGION. culled woods at low altitudes. This and the other species are largely used for fuel. Red-heart Hickory {Hicoria odorata) becomes 120 feet in height and 30 inches in diameter, and is one of the most common species. In the Southern Appalachians it is second in value and importance only to the White Hickory. It prefers rich, warm soil at low elevations. Seed are borne often and in abundance, and reproduction is good. Pignut {Hicoria glabra) is a slender tree, exceptional^ 100 feet in height, generally growing on dry soil, but is not common. The timber is inferior to that of the red-heart hickory. Hairy Pignut {Hicoria glabra hirsuta) is like the preceding in size and in the character of its timber, but is not so common. Sand Hickory {Hicoria villosa) is a small, uncommon tree, yielding a wood similar to that of the pignut. It grows on sandy soil along streams and on dry ridges at low elevations. Black Willow {Salix nigra) is a small tree reaching a height of 50 feet, and is common along streams below 3,000 feet elevation. The wood is not used, but the tree is important, as its tough roots serve to protect from erosion the banks of the streams along which the trees grow. Silky Willow {Salix sericea) is a small tree 20 to 30 feet in height, with straight stems, which is common along streams and in wet meadows below -±,000 feet in altitude. It is too small to furnish useful wood, but as a protection against the erosion of the banks of small streams it is of more importance than the preceding. It seeds abundantly and reproduces freely. Largetooth Aspen {Populus grandidentata) is a slender tree reaching a height of 50 feet. It is not common and the wood is not used. Balm of Gilead {Populus balsamifera candicans) has been extensively planted along streams, where it makes an excellent soil binder and protects the banks against washing. It is also useful in building up low areas along streams which are subject to flooding, as the deposit of earth around its stems during freshets does not injure the health of the tree. The collection and sale of the large resinous buds, which are used medicinally, is an industry of some importance. It is a tree of rapid growth, and soon readies a height of 50 feet. The wood is light, soft, and not durable. River Birch {Betula nigra) reaches a height of 70 feet and a diameter of 30 indies, and occurs only along the, banks of the larger streams. Seeds are borne abundantly and reproduction is good. The wood is coarse and hard. It is chiefly valuable in protecting the banks of streams. Street Birch {Betula lenta) is found along cold mountain streams on northern slopes, where it reaches a height of 90 feet and a diameter of 3 feet. The timber is used to some extent in the manufacture of fur-
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