Red Maple, _Acer rubrum_ L., has simple, opposite leaves that are usually glaucous and pubescent. The flowers appear in early February and the fruit is a double samara. The variety _A. rubrum_ var. _drummondii_ (Hook. and Arn.) Sarg., which has densely matted white hairs on the undersides of young leaves, grows in swamps throughout the South. Leaves may have three to five lobes, but southern trees are predominantly three-lobed. For this reason, some authors recognize the southern form as _A. rubrum_ var. _tridens_ Woods. The leaves of Black Tupelo (blackgum) _Nyssa sylvatica_ Marsh., are alternate, elliptical to obovate, and become spotted early in their development, turning purplish in September before their early shedding. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, and produce a blue-black fruit. Two of the most common ashes are White Ash, _Fraxinus americana_ L., and Green Ash, _F. pennsylvanica_ Marsh. The most reliable distinction between the two species appears to be samara differences. White ash has a plump, short seed end with the wing practically terminal, whereas green ash has a slender seed end and the wing extends more than halfway down the seed end. White ash usually has a rounded leaflet base, but green ash has wedge-shaped leaflet bases. The undersurfaces of fresh white ash leaves are white, but the color is difficult to detect on dry specimens. Green ash leaves are green on both surfaces, although somewhat paler on undersurfaces. Key To Hardwoods The key is composed of paired statements, one true and one false for any given specimen. The guide numbers at the end of statements are used to locate the next pair. Follow the true statements until you come to a common name. If you have made no mistake in interpreting the paired statements, you should arrive at the correct identity of the specimen. Then check the text and illustration.