[Illustration:  FIG. 17.—­The Bald Cypress.]

Comparisons:  The tree is apt to be confused with the American larch,
    also known as tamarack and hackmatack, but differs from it in
    having longer leaves, cones twice as large and more abundant and
    branches which are more pendulous.

The larch differs from the bald cypress in the broader form of its crown and the cluster-like arrangement of its leaves.  The twigs of the bald cypress are flat and feathery.  The larch and bald cypress have the common characteristics of both shedding their leaves in winter and preferring to grow in moist or swampy soils.  The larch, especially the native species, forms the well-known tamarack swamps of the north.  The bald cypress grows in a similar way in groups in the southern swamps.

BALD CYPRESS (Taxodium distichum)

Distinguishing characters:  The feathery character of the twigs, Fig.
    16, and the spire-like form of the tree, Fig. 17, which is taller
    and more slender than the larch, will distinguish this species from
    others.

[Illustration:  FIG. 18.—­Cypress “Knees.”]

Leaf:  The leaves drop off in October, though the tree is of the
    cone-bearing kind.  In this respect it is like the larch.

Form and size:  Tall and pyramidal.

Range:  The cypress is a southern tree, but is found under cultivation in
    parks and on lawns in northern United States.

Soil and location:  Grows naturally in swamps, but will also do well in
    ordinary well-drained, good soil.  In its natural habitat it sends
    out special roots above water.  These are known as “cypress knees”
    (Fig. 18) and serve to provide air to the submerged roots of the
    tree.

Enemies:  None of importance.

Value for planting:  An excellent tree for park and lawn planting.

Commercial value:  The wood is light, soft, and easily worked.  It is used
    for general construction, interior finish, railroad ties, posts and
    cooperage.

Other characters:  The bark is thin and scaly.  The fruit is a cone
    about an inch in diameter.  The general color of the tree is a
    dull, deep green which, however, turns orange brown in the fall.

Comparisons:  The cypress and the larch are apt to be confused,
    especially in the winter, when the leaves of both have dropped.  The
    cypress is more slender and is taller in form.  The leaves of each
    are very different, as will be seen from the accompanying
    illustrations.

GROUP V. THE HORSECHESTNUT, ASH AND MAPLE

How to tell them from other trees:  The horsechestnut, ash, and maple
    have their branches and buds arranged on their stems opposite each
    other as shown in Figs. 20, 22 and 24.  In other trees, this
    arrangement is alternate, as shown in Fig. 19.