is a small tree, not more than 25 feet tall, usually with thorny branches. Leaves are simple, alternate, narrow and 2 to 3 inches long, bright green on the upper surface and silvery underneath. It is a native of Europe and Asia and is used as an ornamental and in windbreak plantings in the United States. BUFFALOBERRY (Silver Buffaloberry) (Shepherdia argentea [Pursh] Nutt.) is a small silver gray-green tree with edible scarlet colored fruit which is useful for making jelly, which may reach 18 to 23 feet in height. It generally has narrow oblong leaves ¾ to 2 inches long and twigs are often thorny. Its native range is from the northern Great Plains to Kansas. Useful for windbreak plantings and erosion control. SIBERIAN ELM (Chinese Elm) (Ulmus pumila L.) is more commonly known in the Plains area as Chinese elm. It is drought-resistant and tolerant of a variety of sites but cannot stand too much water. A small tree with slender drooping branches. Clusters of short pedicelled winged fruit appear in April or May. The leaves are simple, alternate, oval to elliptical, 1 to 2 inches long and leaf edges are doubly serrate. Widely used for shade and windbreak plantings. WINTERBERRY EUONYMUS (Euonymus bungeanus Maxim.) was introduced from China and has adapted well to the southern Great Plains area centered around the Texas Panhandle. The small tree is very hardy and drought-resistant. Its very light green leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, pointed and borne on slender petioles. The heavy leaves cause the petioles to bend giving the foliage a limp or drooping appearance. Young stems and branches are green, older ones are gray. The fruit is a four-lobed capsule which, before ripening in the fall, has a pinkish cast. The ripened seeds are bright red. Tree Identification Guide The following guide has been included in the Eighth edition to assist school children and interested adults in the identification of Texas trees. The guide is non-technical and should be treated as such. More detailed keys are available in most public libraries. In the guide, trees are grouped according to their outstanding characteristics which include leaves, leaf arrangement, flowers, fruit and site. THE SOFTWOODS Needles Cones Shortleaf[1] (page 21) 2 to 3 in a bundle (usually 1½″-2½″ long 2); 3″-5″ long Loblolly (page 20) 3 in a bundle; 6″-9″ long 3″-5″ long Longleaf (page 22) 3 in a bundle; 10″-15″ long 6″-10″ long Slash (page 23) 2 to 3 in a bundle (usually 4″-6″ long 2); 8″-12″ long