A native of the Southeastern quarter of the U.S. extending north into Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Ordinarily a small tree but in the Mississippi Valley it sometimes reaches a height of over 100' and a diameter of over 2'. The tree produces a small but luscious and popular fruit. The wood is hard, heavy, strong, highly shock-resistant and fine-grained. Only the very oldest trees possess heartwood, which is jet black like the ebony from a related species. Principal uses include golf heads and shuttles, for both of which it is the preferred wood. A tropical species produces the ebony of commerce, while Japanese species are planted in orchards for their fruit.

Location: 124-16 (explanation)