The Project Gutenberg eBook of Trees of Indiana, by Charles Clemon Deam

Distribution.—Range of the species but less common. Specimens have been seen from the following Indiana counties: Cass (Deam); Decatur (Deam); Fulton (Deam); Gibson (Schneck); Jackson (Deam); Jay (Deam); Knox (Deam); Laporte (Deam); Pulaski (Deam); Sullivan (Deam); Warren (Deam); Wayne (Deam).

1. Populus álba Linnæus. Silver-leaf Poplar. Plate 15. Short-trunked trees with a round top, up to a meter or more in diameter; bark on young trees smooth, greenish-white or gray, becoming furrowed on old trees, gray or dark brown; shoots white tomentose, becoming smooth in age; leaves ovate or triangular, 3-5 lobed or irregularly toothed, hairy on both surfaces on expanding, becoming dark green and glabrous above, remaining white tomentose beneath; stamens about 8; wood light, soft and weak.

Distribution.—Introduced from Europe and escaped in all parts of the State.

Remarks.—This tree has long been under cultivation, and several horticultural forms have been introduced. It is falling into disuse on account of its habit of sending up root shoots. It adapts itself to all kinds of soil, grows rapidly, transplants easily, stands pruning well and has few insect or fungous enemies.

2. Populus heterophylla Linnæus. Swamp Cottonwood. Swamp Poplar. Plate 16. Tall trees up to 5-8 dm. in diameter; bark of old trees very thick, broken into long ridges which are separated by deep furrows, reddish-brown but generally weathered to ash-color; shoots densely woolly at first, becoming glabrous before the second season; leaves broadly-ovate with petioles 2-10 cm. long, more or less woolly on both surfaces on unfolding, becoming glabrous above and remaining woolly beneath, at least on the larger veins, rarely becoming entirely glabrous, usually cordate at the base, blunt at apex, margins rather regularly crenate-serrate; flowers in April; capsules ripening in June, about 6 mm. in diameter, on stalks 5-10 mm. long; wood same as the next species.

Distribution.—Along the Atlantic Coast from Connecticut to Florida and along the Gulf to Louisiana, and northward along the Mississippi Valley to Michigan. It is found in many parts of Indiana. In the northern counties it is found in "gumbo" soils in swamps. It is a common tree in the river swamps of the lower Wabash Valley where it reaches its greatest size. There are no records for the extreme southeastern part of the State, although it has been found in swamps in Harrison and Clark Counties and is found in many counties of Ohio.

Remarks.—The pith of the shoots of this species is orange which easily distinguishes it from all other species of the genus which have a white pith. This species in all of its range is closely associated with the common cottonwood, and millmen make no distinction in the price or qualities of the timber.

3. Populus deltoìdes Marshall. Cottonwood. Carolina Poplar. (Populus balsamifera var. virginiana (Castiglioni) Sargent). Plate 17. One of the largest trees of the Indiana forests; bark of very old trees very thick, broken into ridges up to 1 dm. or more in thickness, separated by deep furrows, reddish-brown, weathering to a gray; leaves hairy on both surfaces as they unfold, soon glabrous except on the margins which are more or less ciliate, broadly-deltoid, usually 7-12 cm. long, and about as wide, base more or less truncate or cordate, or somewhat wedge-shaped, with rather short acuminate tips, crenate-serrate; capsules ovate, about 6 mm. in diameter, on stalks 1-2 mm. long; wood light, soft, weak, sap wood white, heartwood small and brown; warps badly on drying.

Distribution.—Quebec to Florida and west to the Rocky Mountains. Throughout Indiana in low ground along streams, in swamps and about lakes. On account of its habit of growing only in low ground it is infrequent in the hill country of southern Indiana.

Remarks.—The cottonwood is adapted to a moist soil, propagates easily, grows rapidly and is one of the best trees for forestry purposes for planting overflow lands, and for planting where a quick shade is desired or for temporary windbreaks.

The leaves of this tree are quite variable and several forms have been described. The Carolina poplar of nurserymen has an upright habit of growth and was formerly much planted as a shade tree. Its undesirable qualities have condemned it, and most cities now prohibit its planting.

Cottonwood has many uses, and was formerly a very important timber tree, but the supply has so diminished that large trees have become quite scarce. The thick bark was much used by the boys of the pioneers for whittling out toys, etc.

4. Populus grandidentàta Michaux. Large-toothed Aspen. Plate 18. A small or medium-sized tree, 1-4 dm. in diameter; bark smooth, grayish-green or whitish, becoming furrowed and dark brown on the trunks of old trees that grow in the northern part of the State, especially when growing in a swampy habitat. In the southern part of the State where the tree usually grows on the top of hills, the bark does not darken so much, frequently remaining a light to dark gray until maturity. Shoots more or less woolly at first, becoming glabrous, reddish-brown; leaves on sprouts and very young trees very velvety beneath, slightly hairy above, ovate in outline, cordate at base and with blades up to 20 cm. in length; leaves on older trees a yellow green, glabrous, ovate, blades usually 6-10 cm. long, coarsely and unevenly toothed, the base slightly rounded, rarely truncate or slightly cordate, the apex pointed or rounded; petioles strongly flattened laterally; stamens 6-12; capsule about 5 mm. long on a stalk about 1 mm. long; wood soft, light and not strong.

Distribution.—Nova Scotia west to northern Minnesota and south to the Ohio River, and along the Alleghany Mountains to South Carolina. Found throughout Indiana, except we have no authentic records for Gibson [11] and Posey [12] Counties. In the northern part of Indiana it is found in great colonies about lakes, etc. or rarely a few trees on the crests of gravel and sand ridges. In southern Indiana it is found in the "knob" area in small colonies on the tops of the ridges associated with scrub pine and chestnut oak and is rarely found in low ground in this part of the State.

Remarks.—This species is too rare to be of much economic importance. It could be most profitably used for excelsior and pulp wood.

5. Populus tremuloìdes Michaux. Quaking Aspen. Plate 19. A straight narrow tree up to 3 dm. in diameter, usually about 1-5 dm. in diameter; bark usually smooth, greenish-white or gray, on older trees becoming rough or fissured, and turning darker; shoots glabrous or with a few hairs, turning reddish-brown the first season, later to a gray; leaves of sprouts and very small trees usually ovate with a cordate base and two or three times as large as leaves of older trees; mature leaves on older trees variable, glabrous, the prevailing type has a bluish-green leaf which is widely ovate or nearly orbicular, 3-7 cm. long, truncate or slightly rounded at the base, usually abruptly short-pointed at apex, finely and regularly serrate, the unusual type of leaf is thinner, yellow-green, ovate, ²/₃ as wide as long, rounded or wedge-shaped at base, gradually tapering to a point at the apex, otherwise as the prevailing form; stamens 6-12; capsules about 6 mm. long, on stalks about 1 mm. long; wood light, soft and weak.

Distribution.—One of the most widely distributed of North American trees. It ranges from Labrador south to Pennsylvania, thence southwest to northern Mexico, and then north to northern Alaska. It is found at sea level and at elevations of 10,000 feet. There are records of its occurrence in all parts of Indiana. In all of its Indiana stations it grows only in low ground about lakes, swamps, ponds, low places between sand dunes, and along streams. In many places in the lake region it is found in almost pure stands over small areas.

Remarks.—In Indiana this species is not of sufficient size and abundance to be of much economic importance.

JUGLANDÀCEAE. The Walnut Family.

Bark gray, ridges smooth; upper part of leaf-scar of last year's twigs with a mat of hairs; pith dark-brown; fruit oblong, husk clammy	1 J. cinerea.
Bark dark brown, ridges rough; upper part of leaf-scar of last year's twigs without a mat of hairs; pith light brown; fruit orbicular to slightly elongate, husk not clammy	2 J. nigra.

1. Juglans cinèrea Linnæus. Butternut. Plate 20. A medium sized tree, usually less than 6 dm. in diameter; leaf-scars with upper margin convex or rarely notched; leaves 3-6 dm. in length; leaflets 7-19, the middle pairs the longest, clammy, almost sessile, oblong-lanceolate, 6-12 cm. long, fine serrate, rounded at base and acuminate at apex; flowers in May or June; fruit ripens in October, 4-8 cm. long with 4 prominent longitudinal ridges; kernel sweet and very oily; wood light, soft, not strong, coarse-grained but takes a good polish.

Distribution.—Valley of the St. Lawrence River south to the Gulf States and west to Nebraska. Found in all parts of Indiana, although very sparingly in some counties. It is an infrequent tree in our range, and in only a few localities is it frequent or common. It is found along streams and in ravines, and in two instances it has been noted in old tamarack marshes. It prefers a well drained gravelly soil, and is rarely if ever found in a compact soil.

Thrifty trees of any size in the woodland are now rarely seen. The tops of the larger trees are usually found in a more or less dying condition. Benedict and Elrod [13] as early as 1892 make the following observation in a catalogue of the plants of Cass and Wabash Counties: "A few scrubby, half dead trees were seen, the last of their race. It seems unable to adapt itself to new conditions, and is rapidly dying out."

Remarks.—This tree is often called the white walnut to distinguish it from the black walnut from which it is easily separated. It is too rare in Indiana to be of economic importance, except that trees growing in the open are spared for the nut crop. Trees growing in the open develop a short trunk with a wide spreading top and are apparently much healthier than when grown under forest conditions. The bark of the root is used in medicine as a hepatic stimulant.

2. Juglans nìgra Linnæus. Walnut. Plate 21. One of the largest and most valuable trees of the Indiana forest. Leaf-scars with the upper margin notched; leaves 3-7 dm. long, mature leaves glabrous above and pubescent beneath, leaflets, usually 11-23, almost sessile, ovate-lanceolate, 4-10 cm. long, finely serrate, long-pointed at apex; flowers in May or June; fruit ripens the first year, in September and October, globose to oblong, 5-8 cm. in diameter; nut variable, from subglobose to ovoid or elliptical, more or less rounded or pointed at the ends, 1.5-3.5 cm. through the widest diameter; kernel edible; wood heavy, hard, strong, rather coarse, heart wood dark brown, durable, works easily and takes a high polish.

Distribution.—Ontario south to the Gulf States and west to Texas and Nebraska. It was more or less frequent to common in all parts of Indiana in well drained rich soils.

Remarks.—This tree is frequently called black walnut. On account of the many excellent qualities of the wood, the walnut has been a choice timber tree from pioneer days to the present. It served the pioneer for rails, and in his buildings for sleepers, rafters, interior finish, furniture, etc. It soon sprung into commercial importance, and has been used for almost everything for which wood is used. Indiana and Ohio have furnished the greatest amount of walnut. The supply of lumber from old forest-grown trees has become so scarce that it is sought in old buildings, rail fences, old stumps and old furniture has been worked over. That the demand for walnut timber will not cease is assured; this should encourage land owners to grow this tree. It is adapted to a moist, rich, deep soil and will do well in such a habitat in all parts of the State. Where such land is set aside for forestry purposes, no better tree could be used for planting. Since the tree develops a long tap root which makes it difficult to transplant, it is recommended that the nuts be stratified in the fall, and the germinated nuts be planted in April or May. The foliage of the walnut is often attacked by the "tent caterpillar" which can be easily destroyed by burning about sun down when the larvæ collect in a bunch on or near the trunk of the tree. Since the nut of the walnut is of considerable commercial value, it is recommended that the walnut be planted along fences, about orchards and as one of the species in windbreaks.

There are now recognized [14] fifteen species and several varieties of hickory, all of which grow in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Hickory grows in no other place in the world, except one species in northern Mexico. The wood of the different species of hickory is not of equal commercial value, but the wood of the commercial species heads the list of Indiana woods for strength, toughness and resiliency.

The individuals of the several species vary much in respect to their bark, size and pubescence of the twigs, number and size of the leaflets, size and shape of the nuts. No attempt will be made to deal with all of the extreme forms, and only those reported by Heimlich [15] and Sargent [16] will be discussed.

Bud scales 4-6, valvate (in pairs), leaflets generally curved backward.
Leaflets 9-17, generally about 13; nut elongated, circular in cross-section; kernel sweet	1 C. illinoensis.
Leaflets 5-9, generally 5-7; nut about as broad as long, compressed in cross-section; kernel bitter	2 C. cordiformis.
Bud scales more than 6, imbricated (not in pairs); leaflets not curved backward.
Branchlets usually stout; terminal buds large, 7-25 mm. long; the year's growth usually more or less hairy; dry husks 4-10 mm. thick.
Prevailing number of leaflets 5	3 C. ovata.
Prevailing number of leaflets more than 5.
Trees of low ground; bark of young trees tight and light, of older trees scaly, separating into long thin plates; branchlets usually light orange color; nuts usually large, compressed, 3-6 cm. long, pointed at base	4 C. laciniosa.
Trees of high ground; bark of young trees tight and dark, of older trees tight and deeply furrowed, the thick ridges broken into short lengths which on very old trees loosen at the base; branchlets reddish-brown; nuts usually about half as large as the preceding and usually with a rounded base	5 C. alba.
Branchlets usually slender; terminal buds small, 5-12 mm. long; the year's growth usually glabrous, rarely hairy; dried husk 1-2.5 mm. thick.
Branchlets and leaves not covered when they first appear with rusty-brown pubescence.
Prevailing number of leaflets 5; fruit usually smooth and tapering at base to a short stem (fig-like); shell of nut thick, kernel sweet and astringent	6 C. glabra.
Prevailing number of leaflets generally 7; fruit usually granular, rarely tapering at the base to a short stem (fig-like); shell of nut thin, kernel sweet without astringency	7 C. ovalis.
Branchlets and leaves densely covered when they first appear with rusty-brown pubescence	8 C. Buckleyi.

1. Carya illinoénsis (Wangenheim) K. Koch. Pecan. Plate 22. Very tall slender trees up to 15 dm. in diameter; bark tight, sometimes becoming scaly on very old trees, fissured, ridges narrow, ashy-brown tinged with red; twigs at first hairy, becoming smooth or nearly so and reddish-brown by the end of the season; leaves 3-5 dm. long; leaflets 9-17, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, somewhat curved backward, 7-15 cm. long, taper-pointed, hairy when they unfold, becoming at maturity smooth or nearly so, dark green above, and a yellow-green beneath; clusters of staminate catkins sessile; fruit single or in small clusters, oblong 3.5-6 cm. long, the winged sutures extending to the base, the husk splitting to below the middle; nut ovoid-oblong, reddish-brown; wood heavy, hard and not strong.

Distribution.—In the Mississippi Valley from Indiana and Iowa south to Texas. In Indiana it was a native of the southwest part of the State. It was a common tree in the river bottoms of Point Township of Posey County, and in the bottoms of the southwest part of Gibson County. It was found more or less frequently in the bottoms of the Wabash Valley, as far north as to within four miles of Covington where the author collected specimens in 1918. It followed the bottoms of the Ohio River east at least as far as Clark County. Michaux [17] gives it as rare in the vicinity of Louisville. Victor Lyons of Jeffersonville says that it was a native to the east part of Survey 29 of the Illinois Grant, and one tree in the northwest corner of No. 32; and there were nine trees 9-10 dm. in diameter in Floyd County on "Loop Island". A large tree grew in the bottoms near Bethlehem in Clark County, which is said to have been a native.

Young [18] says that there are two trees in Jefferson County, one planted, the other probably native. Coulter [19] says "there are several trees in the river bottoms."

There are several trees on the Elisha Golay farm about one mile east of Vevay which are in rows, which show that they were planted. The largest has a trunk 2.2 m. long and a circumference of 31 dm. It followed the north fork of White River as far as Greene County, and the south fork of White River as far as Seymour. A pioneer told me he remembered a small colony in the eastern part of Washington County in the bottoms near the Muscatatuck River. In Indiana it is found only in very low land which is subject to overflow.

Remarks.—So far as the wood is concerned, the pecan is the poorest of all hickories. It has only about one-half the strength and stiffness of the shellbark hickory. Although the wood is inferior, the pecan has the distinction of producing the best nut of any native tree of America. The pecan was well known to the Indians, and some authors say the range of the species was extended by planting by the Indians. It has been a nut of commerce ever since the area of its range has been settled. It was planted by the pioneers, and recently nurserymen took up the subject of growing stock by budding and grafting from superior trees. At present there are about 100 horticultural varieties. The horticulturist has developed forms twice the size of the native nuts, and with shells so thin as to be styled "paper-shelled." The pecan has been extensively planted for commercial purposes in the southern states, but information obtained from owners of pecan trees in Indiana indicate that the winters are too severe for profitable pecan culture in Indiana. During the winter of 1917-18 the whole of a tract of 13 year old pecan trees on the Forest Reserve in Clark County was killed back to the ground. In Noble County about one mile south of Wolf Lake is a tree planted about 50 years ago that is about 9 dm. in circumference that frequently sets nuts but they never mature on account of the early frosts.

2. Carya cordifórmis (Wangenheim) K. Koch. Pignut Hickory. Plate 23. Large tall trees with tight bark, usually a light gray, sometimes darker, fissures shallow and very irregular; twigs at first green, somewhat hairy, soon becoming smooth or nearly so, and a yellowish-brown, or reddish-brown by the end of the season; leaves and leaflets variable, the prevailing type of trees have smaller leaves with long and narrow leaflets, the unusual form has larger leaves up to 4 dm. in length with terminal leaflets up to 2 dm. in length and 8.5 cm. in width, and the last pair almost as large; fruit subglobose or rarely oblong, 2-3.5 cm. long; wings of sutures extending to below the middle, rarely one reaching the base; husk about 1.5 mm. thick, tardily separating to about the middle; nut ovoid or oblong, slightly flattened laterally, often as wide or wider than long, depressed, obcordate, with a short or long point at the apex, ovoid or rounded at the base, smooth or rarely with four distinct ridges; shell very thin and brittle; kernel very bitter; wood heavy, very hard, strong, tough and close-grained. It has about 92 per cent of the strength and about 73 per cent of the stiffness of shellbark hickory.

Distribution.—Valley of the St. Lawrence River west to Nebraska and south to the Gulf States. In Indiana a map distribution of the species in the State shows that it has been found in practically all of the counties on the west, north and east borders. It is usually found in rich soil along streams and in rich woods, and may be found in all of the counties of the State. Despite the fact that no animal agency was active against the propagation of this tree, it was rarely found more than as an infrequent tree throughout our range.

Remarks.—The hickories as a class, except the pecan, can not stand "civilization," especially much tramping about the base. It appears that the pignut hickory is the most easily affected. In Parke County about Coxville great numbers of the trees have been killed by the borers. For the uses of the wood see shellbark hickory. Since this species does not produce as much marketable lumber as the shellbark hickory, and the nuts are valueless, it should not be recommended for planting in the farmer's woodlot. The rossed bark of this species is preferred by manufacturers of split-bottomed chairs, and is known by them as "yellow-bud" hickory.

3. Carya ovàta (Miller) K. Koch. Shellbark Hickory. Plate 24. Large and very tall trees; bark of young trees tight, beginning to scale when the trees reach 1-2 dm. in diameter, separating into long thin strips on old trees; twigs at the end of the season usually stout, 3-5 mm. in diameter near the tip, but some are slender and as small as 2.5 mm. in diameter, at first covered with hairs, becoming smooth at the end of the season or remaining hairy, reddish-brown; winter buds hairy, the terminal one on vigorous shoots long-ovoid, outer scales sharp-pointed; ordinary leaves 2-4 dm. long; leaflets 3-5, the lateral sessile or nearly so, the terminal one on a stalk about 1 dm. long, up to 10 cm. wide and 22 cm. long, leaflets variable in shape from ovate to oval, oblong-oval or obovate, all long taper-pointed, hairy beneath when they unfold and remaining hairy until maturity or sometimes becoming almost glabrous; fruit variable in size, 3-6 cm. long, usually subglobose, furrowed along the sutures at least near the outer end; husk freely splitting to the base, except one tree which was noted where the husk remains on the nut, rarely opening for only a short distance at the apex, very variable in thickness from 4-10 mm.; nut exceedingly variable, compressed, 4-angled, the angles generally visible to the base, 2-3 cm. long, more or less pointed, rarely rounded at the base or obcordate at the apex, generally ovate to oval in outline, some almost freakish in shape; shell generally thin; kernel sweet; wood heavy, very hard and strong, close-grained, light brown, sap wood white and thin on old trees.

Distribution.—Quebec west to southern Minnesota, Kansas and eastern Texas, thence eastward to the Atlantic through the north part of the Gulf States. It is frequent to common in all parts of Indiana except on the hills of the southern part. It prefers rich moist soil and is generally found in bottom lands or on rolling land, and if in dryer situations on the sides of hills. It is generally associated with red oak, big shellbark hickory, swamp white oak, sweet gum, linn, white ash, slippery elm, sugar maple, beech, etc. In the forest it is a tall straight tree with few main branches for a crown. No tree carries its taper better than this species. When grown in the open the side branches do not shade off, and it grows to a medium height with a wide spreading crown.

Remarks.—The writer has one specimen from Wells County which no doubt should be referred to this species, but the description has not been drawn to cover it. The twigs are very slender and pubescent; the leaves are normal and pubescent; the fruit is obovoid, 2-4 cm. long; husk less than 1 mm. thick at outer end and 2 mm. thick at the base; nut obovoid, 1-8 cm. long, little compressed, rounded at the base, rounded at the apex, slightly angled, angles obscure on lower half; otherwise as the type.

The species is very variable and no dependence can be placed upon such characters as pubescence of the twigs, leaves or fruit, size of the twigs, color of the anthers, size or shape of the nuts.

The wood of the shellbark and the big shellbark hickories is the most used of all the hickories because it is generally freer from knots and blemishes. Hickory is used principally for carriage and wagon stock, agricultural implements, handles and fuel. The supply of hickory is fast waning, and in the near future will be limited.

The hickories are very slow growing trees. They develop a long tap root, hence are hard to transplant. Hickory should constitute an important part of the woodlot. If this species is not well represented, germinated nuts should be planted. The nut of this species usually sells for $3.00 to $5.00 per bushel, which should encourage land owners to plant it in the open along fences and about the orchard. It should be remembered that hickory will not stand much tramping by stock.

4. Carya laciniòsa (Michaux filius) Loudon. Big Shellbark Hickory. Plate 25. Large tall trees with trunks like those of the shellbark hickory; bark of young trees tight, beginning to scale when the trees reach a diameter of 1-2 dm., on older trees separating and scaling off into long thin narrow strips; twigs at the end of the season stout, 4-7 mm. thick near the tip, the twigs of the season hairy at first, becoming glabrous or nearly so by the end of autumn, yellowish or late in autumn a rusty brown, frequently retaining the leaf-stalks of the leaves of the previous season until spring which is peculiar to this species; terminal buds large, ovoid to ovoid-oblong, 10-25 mm. long; ordinary leaves 3-5 dm. long; leaflets 5-9, prevailing number 7, ovate to oblong-lanceolate or obovate, the largest 1-2 dm. long, velvety beneath when they unfold and remaining hairy beneath until maturity, rarely nearly glabrous; fruit ovate, subglobose, oblong or obovate, 3.5-7 cm. long; dry husk 3.5-11 mm. thick; nut variable, generally much compressed, up to 5.5 cm. long, usually circular in outline, but varying from ovate to obovate and oblong, usually each side has 2 or 3 ridges which extend more or less often to the base; shell very thick; kernel sweet; wood and uses same as that of the shellbark hickory.

Distribution.—Southwestern Ontario south to Alabama and west to Louisiana, Nebraska and Iowa. Found throughout Indiana, except there are as yet no records from the extreme northwest counties. It is frequent to common in moist rich woods, or in river bottoms which is its favorite habitat. It is usually associated with the shellbark hickory where it grows in moist situations. Sometimes in the river bottoms it grows in situations too wet for the shellbark hickory. In the lower Wabash bottoms it becomes a common tree.

Remarks.—This hickory is also known as the big scaly-bark hickory and hard-head hickory. The nuts are an article of commerce and by some are preferred to the shellbark hickory although the nuts are hard to crack. This objection is easily overcome by wetting the nuts, and drying them by using heat which cracks the shell, making them easy to crack.

5. Carya álba (Linnæus) K. Koch. White Hickory. Plate 26. Medium sized tall trees up to 10 dm. in diameter; bark tight, of two types, one light colored, thin and fissured into a network. This form has been seen only in the river bottoms of the southwestern part of the State. The common type of bark is thick, with thick ridges, dark but on the older trees it weathers to a light gray and becomes thickly covered with lichens; terminal twigs of branches at end of season stout, 3.5-7 mm. in diameter near the tip, densely hairy at first and remaining hairy throughout the season or becoming almost glabrous, reddish-brown; terminal bud large, ovate, 10-20 mm. long; ordinary leaves 2-4 dm. long, the rachis and under side of leaflets densely hairy when they unfold, remaining pubescent until maturity; leaflets 5-9, prevailing number 7, long-oval, ovate-lanceolate, or obovate; fruit usually globose, more rarely short elliptic, ovate or obovoid, the husk rather tardily opening to nearly the base, or only checking open at the top; dried husk 3-8 mm. thick; nut variable in shape, little compressed, somewhat globose, a little longer than wide, more rarely wider than long or short elliptic, usually 2.5-3.5 cm. long, generally rounded at the base and short-pointed at the apex, more rarely pointed at the base and long pointed at the apex, (one specimen is at hand that is almost a square box), usually with 4-6 angles, on some forms obscure; shell thick; kernel very small, sweet; wood and uses same as shellbark hickory.

Petioles round or channeled, scarcely or not at all flattened laterally.
Leaves chalky-white tomentose beneath, some of them more or less lobed, blades 6-10 cm. long.	1 P. alba.
Leaves pubescent or whitish tomentose while young, never lobed, blades 10-17 cm. long	2 P. heterophylla.
Petioles strongly flattened laterally especially near the blade.
Winter buds more than 8 mm. in length, stamens more than 20, capsules more than 3 mm. in diameter, leaves broadly deltoid, majority more than 8 cm. wide	3 P. deltoides.
Winter buds less than 8 mm. in length, stamens fewer than 20, capsules less than 3 mm. in diameter, leaves roundish ovate, majority less than 8 cm. wide.
Winter buds more or less pubescent, dull; leaves generally with less than 12 teeth to a side	4 P. grandidentata.
Winter buds smooth or rarely somewhat pubescent, glossy; leaves with more than 12 teeth to a side	5 P. tremuloides.

Pith of twigs chambered; staminate catkins thick, sessile or short stalked; stamens 8-40, glabrous; nuts with a network of rough projections	1 Juglans.
Pith of twigs not chambered; staminate catkins slender, long-stalked; stamens 3-10, hairy; nuts more or less angled but smooth	2 Carya.

JUGLANDÀCEAE. The Walnut Family.