ABSTRACTS

BAGLEY, W.T. 1979. Hackberry — a hardy plant often overlooked. Am. Nurseryman 150(3): 1.5, 88-89.

The hackberry's ability to withstand adversity has been overlooked in recent years as trees are selected for ornamental plantings in the Central Plains region. Although there are no serious insect or disease problems, the leaf nipple galls caused by insects of four pachypsylla species detract from its appearance. Occasionally the witches'-brooms caused by eriophyes species, a gall mite, working in conjunction with powdery mildew fungus, can cause unsightly deformity. Phenological information and injury to trees due to drought or cold in the Nebraska and Kansas plantations are compared. It is quite likely that there are many variants in the total population within and beyond the extremes described. Eventually the original and the other test plantations can be used as seed orchards. The result should be hackberry nursery stock improved in uniformity, vigor, and adaptability to Great Plains sites.

LEWIS, C.E. 1979. Interesting tree trunks. Am. Nurseryman 150(1): 12-13.

Tree trunks are fascinating. Whether the trees are found deep in the forest, gracing the front lawn of a home or along a street, people can enjoy the various trunk characteristics by merely stopping and looking. The few tree trunks pictured here show the diversity among the different trees. Tree trunks may differ in size, color, character, smoothness or roughness of the bark, and the way the branches break from the main trunk. A tree trunk can be viewed from close range, but it is better to view the whole trunk as a unit and then gradually move in to observe the details.