THE WHITE ASH (Fraxinus americana)

Distinguishing characters:  The terminal twigs of glossy olive green
    color are flattened below the bud.  Fig. 22.  The bud is
    rusty-brown.

[Illustration:  FIG. 22.—­Twig of White Ash.]

Leaf:  Five to nine leaflets.  Fig. 23.

Form and size:  A large tree with a straight trunk.

Range:  Eastern North America.

Soil and location:  Rich, moist soil.

Enemies:  In cities it is very often attacked by sucking insects.

Value for planting:  The white ash grows rapidly.  On account of its
    insect enemies in cities, it should be used more for forest planting
    and only occasionally for ornament.

Commercial value:  It has a heavy, tough, and strong wood, which is
    valuable in the manufacture of cooperage stock, agricultural
    implements, and carriages.  It is superior in value to the black ash.

Other characters:  The bark is gray.  The flowers appear in May.

Comparisons:  The white ash is apt to be confused with the black ash
    (Fraxinus nigra), but differs from the latter in having a
    lighter-colored bud.  The bud of the black ash is black.  The bark of
    the white ash is darker in color and the terminal twigs are more
    flattened than those of the black ash.

[Illustration:  FIG. 23.—­Leaf of White Ash.]

SUGAR MAPLE (Acer saccharum)

Distinguishing characters:  The bud is sharp-pointed, scaly, and
    reddish brown.  Fig. 24.

[Illustration:  FIG. 24.—­Twig of the Sugar Maple.]

Leaf:  Has sharp points and round sinus.  Fig. 25.

Form and size:  The crown is oval when the tree is young and round in old
    age.  Fig. 26.

Range:  Eastern United States.

Soil and location:  Moist and deep soil, and cool, shady positions.

Enemies:  Subject to drouth, especially in cities.  Is attacked by the
    sugar maple borer and the maple phenacoccus, a sucking insect.

Value for planting:  Its rich and yellow color in the fall, and the fine
    spread of its crown make it a desirable tree for the lawn,
    especially in the country.

Commercial value:  Its wood is hard and takes a good polish; used for
    interior finish and furniture.  The tree is also the source of maple
    sugar.  Fig. 27.

Other characters:  The bark is smooth in young trees and in old trees
    it shags in large plates.  The flowers appear in the early part of
    April.

Other common names:  The sugar maple is sometimes called rock maple or
    hard maple.

SILVER MAPLE (Acer saccharinum)