SWEET GUM (Liquidambar styraciflua)

[Illustration:  FIG. 75.—­Leaf and Flower of the Tulip Tree.]

Distinguishing characters:  The persistent, spiny, long-stemmed round
    fruit; the corky growths on the twigs, the characteristic
    star-shaped leaves (Fig. 76) and the very shiny greenish brown
    buds and the perfect symmetry of the tree are the chief characters
    by which to identify the species.

Form and size:  The sweet gum has a beautiful symmetrical shape, forming
    a true monopodium.

[Illustration:  FIG. 76.—­Leaf and Fruit of the Sweet Gum.  Note the corky ridges along the twig.]

Range:  From Connecticut to Florida and west to Missouri.

Soil and location:  Grows in any good soil but prefers low wet ground.  It
    grows rapidly and needs plenty of light.

Enemies:  Is very often a favorite of leaf-eating caterpillars.

Value for planting:  The tree is sought for the brilliant color of its
    foliage in the fall, and is suitable for planting both on the lawn
    and street.  In growing the tree for ornamental purposes it is
    important that it should be frequently transplanted in the nursery
    and that it be transported with burlap wrapping around its roots.

Commercial value:  The wood is reddish brown in color, tends to splinter
    and is inclined to warp in drying.  It is used in cooperage, veneer
    work and for interior finish.

Other characters:  On the smaller branches there are irregular
    developments of cork as shown in Fig. 76, projecting in some cases
    to half an inch in thickness.

Other common names:  Red gum.

Comparisons:  The cork elm is another tree that possesses corky ridges
    along its twigs, but this differs from the sweet gum in wanting the
    spiny fruit and its other distinctive traits.

AMERICAN LINDEN (Tilia Americana)

[Illustration:  FIG. 77.—­Bud of the Linden Tree.]

Distinguishing characters:  The great distinguishing feature of any
    linden is the one-sided character of its bud and leaf.  The
    bud, dark red and conical, carries a sort of protuberance which
    makes it extremely one sided as shown in Fig. 77.  The leaf, Fig. 78,
    is heart-shaped with the side nearest the branch largest.

[Illustration:  FIG. 78.—­Leaves and Flowers of the European Linden.]

Form and size:  The American Linden is a medium-sized tree with a broad
    round head.

Range:  Eastern North America and more common in the north than in the
    south.

Soil and location:  Requires a rich, moist soil.

[Illustration:  FIG. 79.—­European Linden Tree.]