Native Trees of Kentucky (Volume 8); A Handbook (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. 1910. Excerpt: ... Sourwood, Sorrel Tree, or Lily of the Valley Tree, is common in the State, but found most abundantly in the mountains. As an ornamental tree, it is highly prized for its long' racemes of white, bell-shaped flowers, its vivid autumn foliage and persistent, small, dry capsules. The small, perfect flowers, blossoming from May to July, are in pendent racemes at the ends of branches. The acid in the leaves and twigs is responsible for its descriptive name. Tree--small, irregular oblong top and slender branches. Bark--thick, red gray. Leaves--alternate, deciduous, oblong, tapering at base. Fruit--small, dry capsules, borne on curved stalks. EBONY FAMILY--Ebeoaceae, This tropical family is represented in America by one genus, Diospyrus, with one species: a. Persimmon--Diospyrus virginiana. The Persimmon, or Date Plum, is found in most woodlands all over the State. It is often called "Possumwood." The heart wood of Persimmon is hard and black, but is not formed until the tree reaches an advanced age. The wood is used for interior finish and for piano frames, and is largely exported to Europe for this purpose. The less important uses are shoe lasts, plane stocks and tool handles. The flowers are small, of two kinds, staminate and pistillate, borne on different trees; staminate in clusters, pistillate usually solitary. Tree--tall, slender, with full round head. Bark--dark brown, broken into irregular ridges showing an orange colored, inner layer. Leaves--alternate, simple, pointed, thick and leathery. Fruit--large, round, pulpy berries, edible when ripe. STORfIX FAMILY--Styracaceae. One genus, Mohrodendron, with one tree species represents this family in Kentucky. a. Silver-bell Tree--Mohrodendron carolinum. This ornamental tree is known in different Southern State...