TOP SHELF: Elk State Forest has named the black cherry the “Tree
of the Month” for September. Those in the timber industry would
probably dub it “Tree of the Year,” “Tree of the Decade,” and “Tree
of the Century.”

The black cherry is a large-sized tree between 60-80 feet tall
and is found through out Pennsylvania but grows best in fertile
soils here in northern Pennsylvania.

The leaves are alternate, simple, narrow and about 2-6 inches
long with short in-curved teeth along the margin. The bark is black
and rough and may expose the reddish brown under-bark. The black
cherry flowers in May through June and the fruit is ripe in August
through September. The fruit is round, black and about 1/3-1/2 inch
in diameter and contains a single round seed.

Deer, bear, fox, rabbits, song birds, grouse, turkeys and others
eat the fruits and seeds.

This wood of the black cherry is highly prized and used for
furniture and interior finishing.

It’s that last part that leaves timber devotees salivating. The
cherry’s beautiful reddish wood makes for stylist and attractive
furniture of any kind. Cabinets made of solid cherry are expensive
but worth every penny.

We were highly impressed a few years ago to see Norm Abrams,
master carpenter on This Old House, rave about the beauty and
workability of this wood.

And, yes, the highest quality cherry grows in this region of
Pennsylvania – much in the Allegheny National Forest. Walk in the
woods and see the straight and tall cherry trees to understand this
tree’s majesty.

OH, ZIPPO: Rick Piscitelli of Louisville, Ky., asks, “Did anyone
catch the advertisement for Zippo in the Sept. 6 episode of ‘Mad
Men’? During the scene in the conference room while discussing the
Jai-Alai account, there is a framed advertisement for Zippo over
Don Draper’s (actor Jon Hamm) shoulder. I am not sure what the
advertisement is displaying, but the lighter looks like a Lady
Bradford. Be reminded that the show is set in the year 1963.”

Even though we are primed to catch these Zippo sightings, we
must admit we missed this one. Maybe we’ll catch it in reruns.

It would be interesting to know if Zippo had employed a large
advertising firm, such as the one portrayed in this TV show, back
in the 1960s.