[Illustration: SWAMP PRIVET (Leaves, one-fifth natural size; fruit, one-half natural size)] The BARK is thin, dark brown to brownish-gray, close, and slightly ridged. The LEAVES are thin, simple, opposite, 2½ to 4 inches long, 1 to 1½ inches wide, pointed at both ends, yellowish-green on the upper surface, paler on the lower surface, and slightly toothed above the middle. The FLOWERS appear in April before the leaves. They are of two kinds, borne separately on the same tree, rather small and in clusters. The FRUIT, a drupe, falls when ripe in May or June. It is about 1 inch long and ¼ inch wide, oblong, and tipped with a point. The ripe fruit is deep purple, and contains a tough, dry pulp and a one-seeded stone. The WOOD is close-grained, yellowish-brown, weak, and rather soft. It has no economic use. FRINGETREE (White Fringetree) Chionanthus virginicus L. Children give this tree, with its drooping, fringy, white flowers, such names as “grancy-gray beard” and “old-man’s beard.” Beautiful both in flower and fruit, it is a desirable tree for ornamental planting. It occurs naturally in loamy soil over the eastern part of the state to the valley of the Brazos River and generally grows in the shade of other trees. [Illustration: FRINGETREE (Flower, three-fourths natural size; leaf and fruit, one-half natural size)] The BARK is similar to that of a young ash, but is rougher and whiter. It has tonic properties, and is used in domestic remedies. The rather large, ovate LEAVES are 4 to 8 inches long, and ½ to 4 inches wide, dark green on the upper surface, paler underneath, and turning a clear bright yellow in autumn. The leaves are opposite, and leave conspicuous scars when they fall. The odd white FLOWERS, which appear with the very young leaves, are borne in long, loose drooping panicles. The petals are very narrow and long, giving the effect of fringe. The FRUIT is a dark blue-purple drupe, sometimes as much as an inch long, with a glaucous bloom, and borne in loose, drooping panicles. It is an excellent deer and bird food. NORTHERN CATALPA (Western Catalpa) Catalpa speciosa Warder Catalpa, often miscalled “catawba”, is found naturalized in eastern Texas and occurs on various qualities of soil, most frequently on rich, moist bottoms. It is a medium-sized tree, rarely exceeding 50 feet in height and 15 inches in diameter. The trunk is usually short and the head broad with spreading branches. [Illustration: NORTHERN CATALPA (Leaf, one-third natural size; twig and seed, two-thirds natural size; pod, one-fourth natural size)] The BARK varies from dark gray to brown, and is slightly rough, being divided into narrow, shallow strips or flakes. The LEAVES are simple, opposite, cordate-based, long-pointed, 6 to 10 inches long, and softly pubescent beneath.