Habitat.—Prefers rough limestone soils and dry hillsides, but grows in a variety of soils and situations.
Notes.—This species is valued on account of its durable wood and attractive appearance. During the past two or three years many red cedars have been destroyed in the eastern section of the State in order to stamp out apple rust which exists in one of its stages upon this tree.
BLACK WILLOW
Salix nigra, Marsh.
Form.—Height 30-50 feet, diameter 1-2 feet; trunk often crooked or leaning; crown open with long straggling limbs.
Leaves.—Alternate, simple, narrowly lanceolate, taper-pointed, margins finely serrate, 3-6 inches long, ¼-¾ inch broad; large semicordate stipules.
Flowers.—March-April, before the leaves; dioecious; both kinds of flowers borne in slender, hairy catkins, 1-3 inches long; calyx and corolla wanting; scales yellow, with 3-6 stamens.
Fruit.—A capsule ⅛ inch long, early splitting open and liberating the hairy seeds which are carried about by the wind.