BLUE BEECH OR HORNBEAM (Carpinus caroliniana)

Distinguishing characters:  The fluted or muscular effect of its
    trunk will distinguish the tree at a glance, Fig. 54.

Leaf:  Doubly serrated; otherwise the same as that of ironwood.

Form and size:  A low-spreading tree with branches arching out at various
    angles, forming a flattened head with a fine, slender spray.

Range:  Very common in the eastern United States.

Soil and location:  Grows in low wet woods.

Enemies:  None of importance.

Value for planting:  Its artistic branching and curious trunk give the
    tree an important place in park planting.

Commercial value:  None.

Other characters:  The bark is smooth and bluish gray in color.

Comparisons:  The blue beech or hornbeam is often confused with the
    ironwood or hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana).  The ironwood,
    however, has a characteristic bark that peels in perpendicular,
    short, thin segments, often loose at the ends.  See Fig. 55.  This is
    entirely different from the close, smooth, and fluted bark of the
    blue beech.  The color of the bark in the ironwood is brownish, while
    that of the blue beech is bluish-gray.  The buds of the ironwood are
    greenish with brown tips, while the bud of the blue beech shows no
    green whatever.

HACKBERRY (Celtis occidentalis)

Distinguishing characters:  The tree may be told readily from other trees
    by the corky tubercles on the bark of the lower portion of the
    trunk.  See Fig. 56.

Leaf:  Has three predominating veins and is a bit more developed on one
    side than on the other.

Form and size:  A small or medium-sized tree with a single stem and broad
    conical crown.

Range:  United States and Canada.

Soil and location:  Grows naturally in fertile soils, but will adapt
    itself to almost sterile soils as well.

Enemies:  The hackberry is usually free from disease, though often its
    leaves are covered with insect galls.

Value for planting:  It is extensively planted as a shade tree in the
    Middle West, and is frequently seen as an ornamental tree in the
    East.

Commercial value:  It has little economic value except for fuel.

Other characters:  The fruit is berry-like, with a hard pit.  The fleshy
    outer part is sweet.

Other common names:  Nettle tree; sugarberry.

GROUP VIII.  THE OAKS AND CHESTNUT