Trees of Worcester; A List of the Trees, Both Native and Introduced (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894. Excerpt: ... IV. THE SUMACHS AND LOCUSTS. Staghorn Sumach: Rhus typhina. Smoke-tree: Rhus Cotinus. (Common Locust): (Robinia Pseudacacia). (Honey Locust): (Gleditschia triacanthos). (Yellow-wood): (Cladrastis tinctoria). (Red-bud): (Cercis Canadensis). (Kentucky Coffee-tree): (Gymnocladus Canadensis). Golden chain: Laburnum vulgare. Pea-tree: Caraga?ia arboresccns. Only one of our sumachs, the staghorn, becomes a tree, and that is more frequently only a shrub. Its name comes from the irregular branching of its twigs and their velvety-hairy covering, which suggest, after the leaves have fallen, the antlers of a stag. It is known by its heads of fruit, which become a rich crimson in the fall and retain their color far into the winter, and also by the brilliancy of its autumn foliage, the long, pinnate leaves turning early to various shades of orange and purple. Its wood is of a beautiful greenish-yellow color and a satiny texture. Since this sumach was carried to Northern Europe some years ago, it is said to have become one of the most common and popular exotic trees. It grows on the north side of Hawthorn street, and on Grove street, beyond Park avenue. To the sumach family belong our only poisonous plants, the poison ivy, Rhus Toxicodendron, and poison dogwood, Rhus venenata. The first is a vine, climbing by its countless rootlets over rocks and treetrunks, or occasionally assuming a shrubby form. It is distinguished by its compound leaves of three leaflets and in the fall by its clusters of grayish berries. A very conspicuous growth covers the wall at the right of the road on June street, just beyond May street, and it is also growing on one of the locust trees in front of the Salisbury mansion at Lincoln square. The poison dogwood, which is not a dogwood at all, but...