[Illustration:  FIG. 65.—­Trunk of Chestnut Tree.]

Range:  Eastern United States.

Soil and location:  It will grow on rocky as well as on fertile soils and
    requires plenty of light.

Enemies:  During the past nine years nearly all the chestnut trees in the
    United States have been attacked by a fungus disease (Diaporthe
    parasitica, Mur.) which still threatens the entire extinction of
    the chestnut trees in this country.  No remedy has been discovered
    and all affected trees should be cut down and the wood utilized
    before it decays and becomes worthless.  No species of chestnut tree
    is entirely immune from this disease, though some species are highly
    resistant.

Value for planting:  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.