MOUNTAIN ASH

Pyrus americana (Marsh.) D. C.

Form.—Height 20-30 feet, diameter 8-12 inches; trunk short, supporting a round-topped crown.

Leaves.—Alternate, compound, 6-9 inches long; leaflets 9-17, 2-3 inches long, nearly sessile, except the terminal one, lanceolate, taper-pointed, sharply serrate above the entire base; glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath.

Flowers.—Appear in May; perfect, in flat cymes 3-4 inches across, white.

Fruit.—Matures in autumn, persistent on the tree through the winter; a round berry-like pome, ¼ inch in diameter, bright red, acid, in large flat-topped clusters.

Bark.—Smooth or slightly roughened, light gray.

Wood.—Light, close-grained, soft, weak, light brown with lighter sapwood.