Box 22, Folder 8: Trees of Wisconsin 1859, 1867

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23. Celtis occidentalis, of Linnaeus.-Hackberry.

This tree belongs to the South, and occurs so rarely in Wisconsin as to be but seldom noticed. I have found it, however, at Milwaukee, on Rock river, and at Fon du Lac; always on low bottom lands along the margin of the streams. In general appearance it much resembles the Elm, and is often, doubtless, mistaken for that tree by casual observers. The least examination, however, will show marked differences-especially in the fruit, which is a drupe or berry, that may be eaten. There is some confusion in regard to the different species of Celtis growing in this country; but there are probably five species. A further examination and comparison of specimens is needed to clear up the difficulties.

There is a species in Europe, said to be very useful, the wood being only surpassed by the ebony and box in durability, strength, and beauty. But the American kinds do not appear to possess those desirable qualities. Very little, however, is certainly known in regard to the value of the Hackberry of this country. Its scarcity may be the only reason why it is not applied to many useful purposes, for which, upon trial, it might be found well adapted. It is said to grow rapidly; to form a handsome tree; and that it might be used as a shade tree, in many situations where variety is desirable.

The figure shows the leaf and berry, both of the full size of nature.

Order VII. Platanaceae.-The Plane Tree Family.

24. Platanus occidentalis, of Linnaeus.-Sycamore-Button Wood.

At the east, this tree, with its white bark and broad leaves, is called Button wood, while at the west it is almost universally known as the Sycamore. Its proper name, however, is the American or Western Plane Tree.

In Europe, a species of Maple is called Sycamore, and the use of the same name here for a very different tree, is apt to lead to confusion. The south part of Wisconsin is the extreme north

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-ern limit of the Sycamore. It attains its greatest dimensions in the valley of the Ohio river. The low bottom lands of that stream, annually overflowed with water, appear to be the proper habitat of this tree. Until the discovery of the immense coniferous trees of California and Oregon, the Sycamore was regarded as the largest tree in the United States-attaining a circumference of 47 feet.

The wood is used for cabinet work; the grain is irregular, giving it a fine appearance when polished. It would be much more extensively used for this purpose, but for the abundance and cheapness of other more esteemed kinds. It is becoming a very common shade tree along the streets of the eastern cities and towns, and appears to be much admired. The growth is rapid; it bears transplanting well; and for supplying the prairie lands with fuel, shade, etc., in the shortest time, it is said to be inferior only to the Locust. As the Sycamore is not attacked by the borer, it may be deemed the most valuable of the two for this purpose. It may be propagated by sowing the seed in the spring, or by cuttings. The very young seedlings should be protected from the heat of the sun.

Order VIII. Juglandaceae.-The Walnut Family.

25. Juglans cinerea, of Linnaeus.-Butternut-White Walnut.

The Butternut is far less common in the woods of this State than the Black Walnut, next to be noticed, and its wood is less valuable. It has, however, some very desirable qualities, rendering it worthy of attention. It is useful on account of the medicinal virtues of the bark; and the sap affords an inferior kind of sugar. The nuts should be gathered for pickling, in the last week of June; and for winter use, in September. This is the appropriate and agreeable business of the boys, who can thus supply themselves and their friends with luxuries at the same time that they are having a "fine time" in the woods. The nuts are much esteemed, and command a good price in the shops. The forms assumed by the Butternut tree are usually not those of beauty, being ill shaped and uncouth. It is, therefore,

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seldom used as an ornamental tree alone. When planted with other trees, it gives interest by contrast to the whole. The wood is very durable, and may be advantageously employed for posts, rails, sills, shingles, and other things that are to be exposed to the weather.

The figure represents a leaf and the fruit, both reduced to one fourth the natural size.

26. Juglans nigra, of Linnaeus.-Black Walnut.

This very common, well known, and valuable tree abounds in the eastern parts of Wisconsin, or in those portions of the State that are "heavily timbered." Large numbers are annually cut into logs, and used for cabinet work, and for the inside work of houses. Like the Butternut, the wood of this tree is durable, and may be used for posts, rails, etc. Fence posts are known to have retained their strength for twenty five years. The nuts are usually deemed inferior in delicacy of taste to the Butternut.

As an object of beauty for the adornment of our houses, public grounds, streets, etc., this tree cannot be too highly esteemed. On this point no one is better authority than the late lamented Downing, who says: "When full grown, it is scarcely inferior in the boldness of its ramifications, or the amplitude of its head to the Oak or the Chestnut; and what it lacks in spirited out-

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line when compared with those trees, is fully compensated, in our estimation, by its superb and heavy masses of foliage, which catch and throw off the broad lights and shadows in the finest manner. When the Black Walnut stands alone, or on a deep fertile soil, it becomes a truly majestic tree; and its lower branches often sweep the ground in a pleasing curve, which gives additional beauty to its whole expression. It is admirably adapted to extensive lawns, parks, and plantations, where there is no want of room for the attainment of its full size and fair proportions. Its rapid growth and umbrageous foliage also recommend it for public streets and avenues."

The flowers expand in May, but the fruit is not ripe until October. Young trees may be transplanted from the woods, or they may be grown readily from the seed.

27. Carya alba, of Nuttall.-Shag Bark Hickory.

The Hickories were first separated from the Walnut, and a new genius established to receive them by Mr. Nuttall. Formerly they were all included in the old genus Juglans; but the least examination of the outer covering of the seeds or nuts will show the propriety of the new nomenclature. In the Walnuts it is undivided and remains attached to the nut, while in the Hickories it is divided into four valves and falls away when ripe.

The Shag bark Hickory may be readily distinguished from the other Wisconsin species by the loose, scaly exterior bark. It is one of our most valuable trees, especially for fuel, for which purpose it is not exceeded in value by any other. As for the result of careful experiment, it is found to yield twice as much heat per cord as the Red Maple, White Birch, Butternut, and Pine; and one half more than the Sugar Maple, Beech, Red Oak, Pin Oak, and Elm. The great strength and elasticity of the wood make it desirable for a great variety of purposes.

The Hickory is also a very fine ornamental tree, that should be much more often seen about our houses and public grounds. The difficulty of transplanting it, is probably the principal reason why it is not more often used for such purposes. It grows very rapidly from the seed, and one could very soon obtain a

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supply by planting at the places where the trees are to grow. The flowers are out in May, and the nuts are ripe in October.

28. Carya glabra, of Torrey.-Pignut Hickory.

This very common species of Hickory was described by Michaux, under the name of Juglans porcina, but the specific name glabra, having already been given to this tree by Dr. Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania, must, in accordance with the just rules adopted among authors, be restored to it. While it falls but little behind the last species in value as fuel, it possesses some qualities in which it is the most useful of the two. Both are quite abundant in our State, not only in the thickly wooded districts, but extending into the openings, forming what are often known as "Hickory groves". Like the common Hickory-nut the flowers appear in May, and the nuts ripen in October.

The figure shows the fruit, of the full size, and a leaf reduced to one half the natural size.

There are four other species of Hickory found in the neighboring States, but not yet detected in Wisconsin.-They are

1st. C. sulcata, Nutt.-Thick Shell Bark Hickory, found in Ohio. It resembles C. alba.

2d. C. tomentosa, Nutt.-The Mockernut, or Great Ohio Walnut, which is found in Ohio and in Illinois.

3d. C. amara, Nutt.-Bitter-Nut, known as its name implies, by the bitterness of the nut, by its thin shell, etc., found also in Ohio and Illinois, and