nting: The chestnut is one of the most rapidly growing
hardwood trees but, on account of its disease, which is now
prevalent everywhere, it is not wise to plant chestnut trees for the
present.

Commercial value: The wood is light, not very strong and liable to warp.
It is durable when brought in contact with the soil and is therefore
used for railroad ties, fence-posts, poles, and mine timbers. It is
also valuable for interior finish in houses and for fuel. Its bark
is used in the manufacture of tanning extracts and the nuts are sold
in cities in large quantities.

CHAPTER III

HOW TO IDENTIFY TREES--(Continued)

GROUP IX. THE HICKORIES, WALNUT AND BUTTERNUT

How to tell them from other trees and from each other: The hickory
trees, though symmetrical, have a rugged _appearance_ and the
_branches_ are so sturdy and black as to give a special distinction
to this group. The _buds_ are different from the buds of all other
trees and sufficiently characteristic to distinguish the various
species of the group. The _bark_ is also a distinguishing character.

The walnut and butternut have _chambered piths_ which distinguish
them from all other trees and from each other.

SHAGBARK HICKORY (_Hicoria ovata_)

Distinguishing characters: The yellowish brown *buds* nearly as large as
those of the mockernut hickory, _are each provided with two long,
dark, outer scales_ which stand out very conspicuously as shown in
Fig. 67. The *bark* in older specimens *shags* off in rough strips,
sometimes more than a foot long, as shown in Fig. 68. These two
characters will readily distinguish the tree at all seasons of the
year.

[Illustration: FIG. 66.--A Shagbark Hickory Tree.]

Leaf: The leaf is compound, consisting of 5 or 7 leaflets, the terminal
one generally larger.

Form and size: A tall, stately tree--the tallest of the hickories--of
rugged form and fine symmetry, see Fig. 66.

Range: Eastern North America.

Soil and location: The shagbark hickory grows in a great variety of
soils, but prefers a deep and rather moist soil.

Enemies: The _hickory bark borer_ (_Scolytus quadrispinosus_) is its
principal enemy. The insect is now killing thousands of hickory
trees in the vicinity of New York City and on several occasions has
made its appearance in large numbers in other parts of the country.

Value for plan