The tupelo gum, or cotton gum,Nyssa aquaticaL., is found in deep river swamps which are flooded during a part of the year. It occurs in 4 or 5 of the southern counties of Illinois in cypress swamps. The enlarged base and the larger fruit serve to distinguish it from the sour gum. This fruit or “plum” is about an inch long, dark purple and has a tough skin enclosing a flattened stone. The wood is light, soft, and not strong and is used for woodenware, handles, fruit and vegetable packages.
The tupelo gum, or cotton gum,Nyssa aquaticaL., is found in deep river swamps which are flooded during a part of the year. It occurs in 4 or 5 of the southern counties of Illinois in cypress swamps. The enlarged base and the larger fruit serve to distinguish it from the sour gum. This fruit or “plum” is about an inch long, dark purple and has a tough skin enclosing a flattened stone. The wood is light, soft, and not strong and is used for woodenware, handles, fruit and vegetable packages.
THE persimmon, often called “simmon”, is well known throughout its range. It is a small tree, rarely exceeding 50 feet in height and 1 inch in diameter, occurring throughout the State from the southern part north to Peoria County. It seems to prefer dry, open situations, and is most abundant in the old fields, though it also occurs on rich bottom lands. Thebarkof old trees is almost black and separated into thick nearly square blocks, much like the black gum.
PERSIMMON
PERSIMMONLeaf, one-half natural size. Twig, three-quarters natural size.
Theleavesare alternate, oval, entire, 4 to 6 inches long, dark green and shining above, paler beneath.
The smallflowers, which appear in May, are yellowish or creamy white, somewhat bell-shaped, the two kinds occurring on separate trees; the male in clusters of 2 or 3, the female solitary. They are visited by many insects.
Thefruitis a pulpy, round, orange-colored or brown berry, an inch or more in diameter and containing several flattened, hard, smooth seeds. It is strongly astringent while green, but quite sweet and delicious when thoroughly ripe.
Thewoodis hard, dense, heavy, strong, the heartwood brown or black, the wide sapwood white or yellowish. It is particularly valued for shuttles, golf-stick heads, and similar special uses, but is not of sufficient commercial use to warrant its general encouragement as a timber tree.
The Hercules’ club,Aralia spinosaL., grows to tree size in southern Illinois, with a spiny stem 25 to 30 feet tall and a flat-topped head. The doubly compound leaves are often more than 3 feet long. Its small greenish-white flowers are followed by large clusters of purple juicy berries. It is desirable for ornamental planting.
The Hercules’ club,Aralia spinosaL., grows to tree size in southern Illinois, with a spiny stem 25 to 30 feet tall and a flat-topped head. The doubly compound leaves are often more than 3 feet long. Its small greenish-white flowers are followed by large clusters of purple juicy berries. It is desirable for ornamental planting.
THE white ash is found throughout the State, but grows to best advantage in the rich moist soils of bottom lands. It reaches an average height of 50 to 80 feet and a diameter of 2 to 3 feet, though much larger trees are found in virgin forests. Thebarkvaries in color from a light gray to a gray-brown. The rather narrow ridges are separated with marked regularity by deep, diamond-shaped fissures.
WHITE ASH
WHITE ASHTwig, one-half natural size. Leaf, one-third natural size.
The oppositeleavesof the white ash are from 8 to 12 inches long and have from 5 to 9 plainly stalked, sharp-pointed leaflets, dark green and smooth above, pale green beneath.
Theflowersare of two kinds on different trees, the staminate in dense reddish-purple clusters and the pistillate in more open bunches. Thefruitof the ash is winged, 1 to 1½ inches long, resembling the blade of a canoe paddle in outline, with the seed at the handle end. The fruits mature in late summer and are distributed effectively by the winds.
Thewoodof the white ash is extremely valuable on account of its toughness and elasticity. It is preferred to all other native woods for small tool handles, such athletic implements as rackets, bats, and oars, and agricultural implements. It is also used extensively for furniture and interior finish.
The green ash,Fraxinus pennsylvanica lanceolataSarg., is common in stream valleys throughout the State. The hairy form of this tree is known as the red ash. This species differs from the white ash in having the leaves bright green or yellow-green on both sides. The fruit has the wing portion extending well down past the middle of the seed-bearing part, and with the wing sometimes square or slightly notched at the outer end. The wood is similar to that of the white ash, but is not quite so tough.
The green ash,Fraxinus pennsylvanica lanceolataSarg., is common in stream valleys throughout the State. The hairy form of this tree is known as the red ash. This species differs from the white ash in having the leaves bright green or yellow-green on both sides. The fruit has the wing portion extending well down past the middle of the seed-bearing part, and with the wing sometimes square or slightly notched at the outer end. The wood is similar to that of the white ash, but is not quite so tough.
THE blue ash is not very common but widely distributed in the upland portions of the State, where it is limited to limestone bluffs, occasionally descending to the adjacent bottom lands. It becomes a large tree 60 feet or more in height with a trunk 2 feet in diameter. The young twigs are usually square, sometimes winged or 4-ridged between the leaf bases.
BLUE ASH
BLUE ASHLeaf, one-third natural size. Fruit and twig, two-thirds natural size.
Thebarkis light gray tinged with red, ½ to ⅔ inch thick, irregularly divided into large plate-like scales. Macerating the inner bark in water yields a blue dye.
Theleavesare 8 to 12 inches long, having 7 to 11 stalked leaflets, long pointed and coarsely toothed, thick and firm, smooth and yellowish-green above, paler beneath.
Theflowersare without petals and appear in clusters when the buds begin to expand.
Thefruitis flattened and oblong, 1 to 2 inches long and less than ½ inch wide and usually notched at the outer end. The wing is about twice the length of the seed-bearing portion and extends down the sides past the middle.
Thewoodis heavy, hard, and close-grained, light yellow, streaked with brown, with a very broad zone of lighter sapwood. It is not usually distinguished commercially from the wood of other ashes.
The pumpkin ash,Fraxinus tomentosaMichx., grows in deep river swamps in southern Illinois. It is a tall slender tree, usually with a much enlarged base. The twigs are light gray. The leaves, with 7 to 9 leaflets, smooth above and soft downy below, are from 10 to 18 inches long.The black ash,Fraxinus nigraMarsh., appears occasionally on the flood plains in the northern part of the State. It may be known by its ashy light gray bark, its very thick twigs and sessile, long-pointed sharply serrate leaflets.
The pumpkin ash,Fraxinus tomentosaMichx., grows in deep river swamps in southern Illinois. It is a tall slender tree, usually with a much enlarged base. The twigs are light gray. The leaves, with 7 to 9 leaflets, smooth above and soft downy below, are from 10 to 18 inches long.
The black ash,Fraxinus nigraMarsh., appears occasionally on the flood plains in the northern part of the State. It may be known by its ashy light gray bark, its very thick twigs and sessile, long-pointed sharply serrate leaflets.
THIS is a native to the Wabash Valley of Illinois, but has been widely planted and has spread somewhat farther as a result of cultivation. It is a medium sized tree with a short trunk and broad head with spreading branches. Because of its attractive flowers and conspicuous heart-shaped leaves, it is considerably used for shade and ornament. Thebarkvaries from dark gray to brown, slightly rough, being divided in narrow shallow strips or flakes. Theleavesare simple, opposite, oval, long-pointed, 6 to 10 inches long, and heart-shaped at the base.
CATALPA
CATALPALeaf, one-third natural size. Twig, two-thirds natural size.
Theflowersappear in clusters or panicles in May or June. They are white with purple and yellow markings, and this makes them decidedly showy and attractive. Thefruitconsists of a bean-like pod, 8 to 16 inches long. It hangs on the tree over winter and gradually splits into 2 parts, or valves. The seeds are about 1 inch long and terminate in wings that are rounded and short-fringed at the ends. They are freely carried by the wind.
Thewoodis rather soft, light, coarse-grained and durable in contact with the soil. It is used for fence posts, poles and fuel, and occasionally for railroad ties.
The paulownia,Paulownia tomentosa(Thumb). Steud., is a large tree native of China with the aspect of the catalpa with broad opposite leaves. Its upright pyramidal clusters of pale violet flowers which appear with the unfolding of the leaves are strikingly handsome. The individual flowers are bell-shaped, two inches long and spotted with darker purple.
The paulownia,Paulownia tomentosa(Thumb). Steud., is a large tree native of China with the aspect of the catalpa with broad opposite leaves. Its upright pyramidal clusters of pale violet flowers which appear with the unfolding of the leaves are strikingly handsome. The individual flowers are bell-shaped, two inches long and spotted with darker purple.
The State Division of Forestry was organized in 1926 as a division of the Department of Conservation. It was organized at that time as a result of an increased need for proper forestry practices within the State on the part of the owners of timber land and potential timber lands.
The objectives of the Division are as follows:1. To promote and assist in the reforestation of idle lands unfit for agriculture.2. To prevent and control woods fires.3. To control erosion by the planting of trees.4. To establish State forests to act as demonstration areas in timber land management.5. To assist Illinois farmers, landowners, and corporations in woodland management practices.6. To assist in the establishment of county and community forests.7. To disseminate forestry knowledge through the publication of forestry literature.
The objectives of the Division are as follows:
1. To promote and assist in the reforestation of idle lands unfit for agriculture.
2. To prevent and control woods fires.
3. To control erosion by the planting of trees.
4. To establish State forests to act as demonstration areas in timber land management.
5. To assist Illinois farmers, landowners, and corporations in woodland management practices.
6. To assist in the establishment of county and community forests.
7. To disseminate forestry knowledge through the publication of forestry literature.
Illinois has within its total land area of approximately 35,800,000 acres, 2,500,000 acres of land that should be reforested. These lands are lying idle at present due to the fact that they are too poor for agricultural purposes. As such they provide an economic burden to their owners and to the State because they are unproductive. These same lands will grow trees profitably, therefore, it is necessary that they be planted to trees for a future timber crop which ultimately will bring a revenue to the landowners and community.
To meet this situation, the Department of Conservation, Division of Forestry has developed two large forest tree nurseries capable of producing 15,000,000 trees annually for reforestation and erosion control purposes. These trees are available to farmers and landowners at prices varying from $5.00 to $15.00 per thousand, dependent upon the species of trees desired. Trees secured from the State must be used only for reforestation and erosion control and cannot be used for landscape or ornamental plantings.
Definite progress has been made in the State reforestation program of idle lands. The first major distribution of trees took place in 1936 at which time 300,000 trees were planted in the State. Since 1936 the State’s reforestation program has steadilybeen enlarged to the extent that in 1940, 6,250,000 trees were distributed from State nurseries and in 1954, 9,996,000 trees left the Division’s nurseries to be planted by farmers and public agencies in the State.
Considerable progress has been made, however, it is hoped that the reforestation program in Illinois will continue to expand until all idle lands in Illinois are growing a useful timber crop.
Woodland fires in Illinois always present a serious problem to the future growth and quality of our forests. Thousands of dollars worth of damage is done annually to our existing woodlands by fires which not only destroy our merchantable timber but also cause severe mortality to young forest seedlings. Fires seriously affect the soil, destroy wildlife and disrupt the entire biological balance of the forest. Every effort should be made, therefore, to prevent woods fires.
In 1938 the State Division of Forestry inaugurated a program in forest fire protection. Since that time ten fire protection districts and a forest fire protection headquarters have been established in southern Illinois. Fire fighting personnel has been hired, radio communication established, and ten State forest fire towers have been erected. Fire protection has been established on all State forests. Necessary tools and equipment for use by both forestry personnel and volunteer groups have been purchased. As a result, 3,674,000 acres of State and private land are now receiving fire protection. This program will be enlarged as funds permit until all woodland acreage in need of protection will receive necessary fire protection.
Our forest resources are a valuable asset to Illinois and one of the most valuable renewable resources that we have. They can only be so, however, if adequate forest fire protection is afforded them.
Illinois’ total forest acreage, when our first settlers came to the State, included 15,273,000 acres of the finest timber to be found in the Middle West. This represented 42 per cent of the total acreage. Although Illinois today is considered strictly an agricultural State, at one time we were rich in forest resources and they were the State’s most valuable asset. Today Illinois has but 3,996,000 acres of woodlands of which 92% is in private ownership. The trained foresters of the Division of Forestry are making every effort to assist farmers and landowners in their woodland management problems. It is vitally necessary that proper forestry practices be conducted on our woodlands today in order that the landowners realize an income from their forest lands and thereby make them an asset rather than a liability. Advice on woodland management is available free of charge from the Division.
The marketing and proper utilization of our existing forest resources is the concern of the Division of Forestry. Approximately 1,000 small sawmills are operating in the State and, of course, much timber is needed annually to keep such mills in operation. Every effort is being made to advise timber landowners as to proper cutting practices and disposal of merchantable timber.
The State at present has 10,110 acres in State forests. It is hoped that this acreage can be enlarged in future years as State appropriations permit. The above acreage includes three State forests located in Union, Mason and Henderson counties. Illinois State forests will always be smaller than those of other states because of the unavailability of low valued land. The Division’s proposed State forest plan provides for a large number of small State forests throughout the State which would serve as ideal examples of proper woodland management and reforestation practices. As funds permit these will be acquired in the future.
Our State forests provide ideal recreational areas at present and thousands of visitors use them annually. In addition, as the timber matures on them, they will provide a revenue from timber sales and become self-sustaining.
Community forests are the oldest type of forest lands in public ownership. Some have been in existence for 200 years in the eastern states and records of older community forests have been found in some of the European countries. The Division of Forestry is cooperating with counties and communities in an effort to get a large scale community forest program in Illinois. To date there are 58 community forests having a total acreage of 52,296 acres. Up to the present time 700,000 trees have been planted on these areas in cooperation with the Division of Forestry.
Nine counties in the State have County Forest Preserve Districts at present. The ratio of ten acres for each 1,000 population within the county appears to be a fair goal for county forest preserve systems in accordance with the Illinois State Planning Commission. On this basis 19 counties in Illinois should have forest preserves.
As a result of increased appropriations for forestry in recent years a definite well-planned forestry program is in effect in Illinois. For additional information on the Division’s activities, write the State Forester, Springfield.