General: Bark gray to dark gray, usually tight; shallow fissured when older. A medium-sized tree of drier locations. Wood has same uses as [shagbark hickory].
BITTERNUT HICKORY
(Carya cordiformis)
Leaves: Compound, alternate; leaf-stem slender, somewhat [downy]; [leaflets] 7-11, each 3″-6″ long, narrow margins finely to coarsely toothed.
Twigs: Medium-stout, smooth, orange-green to gray-brown, with numerous pale spots ([lenticels]). Buds covered with 4 sulphur-yellow, gland-dotted scales, end buds ⅓″-¾″ long, flattened.
Fruit: Nearly round, ¾″-1½″ in diameter; husk thin, yellowish gland-dotted, splits about to the middle into 4 sections when ripe; nut light reddish brown or gray-brown, not ridged, thin-shelled; kernel with red-brown skin, bitter.
General: Bark gray, tight; remains rather smooth for many years; with narrow ridges when older. A medium-sized tree, usually found near streams; grows more rapidly and its wood is lighter than any of the other native hickories. Wood has same uses as [shagbark hickory].
SWEET BIRCH
(Betula lenta)
Leaves: Simple, alternate, about 3½″ long, unevenly saw-toothed; dull green above, yellow-green beneath, with some white hairs at the points where veins join; usually heart-shaped at the base.