Distinguishing characters: The terminal *twigs* of glossy olive green color are *flattened* below the bud. Fig. 22. The bud is rusty-brown. [Illustration: FIG. 22.--Twig of White Ash.] Leaf: Five to nine leaflets. Fig. 23. Form and size: A large tree with a straight trunk. Range: Eastern North America. Soil and location: Rich, moist soil. Enemies: In cities it is very often attacked by sucking insects. Value for planting: The white ash grows rapidly. On account of its insect enemies in cities, it should be used more for forest planting and only occasionally for ornament. Commercial value: It has a heavy, tough, and strong wood, which is valuable in the manufacture of cooperage stock, agricultural implements, and carriages. It is superior in value to the black ash. Other characters: The _bark_ is gray. The _flowers_ appear in May. Comparisons: The white ash is apt to be confused with the _black ash_ (_Fraxinus nigra_), but differs from the latter in having a lighter-colored bud. The bud of the black ash is black. The bark of the white ash is darker in color and the terminal twigs are more flattened than those of the black ash. [Illustration: FIG. 23.--Leaf of White Ash.] SUGAR MAPLE (_Acer saccharum_) Distinguishing characters: The *bud is sharp-pointed*, scaly, and reddish brown. Fig. 24. [Illustration: FIG. 24.--Twig of the Sugar Maple.] Leaf: Has sharp points and round sinus. Fig. 25. Form and size: The crown is oval when the tree is young and round in old age. Fig. 26. Range: Eastern United States. Soil and location: Moist and deep soil, and cool, shady positions. Enemies: Subject to drouth, especially in cities. Is attacked by the _sugar maple borer_ and the _maple phenacoccus_, a sucking insect. Value for planting: Its rich and yellow color in the fall, and the fine spread of its crown make it a desirable tree for the lawn, especially in the country. Commercial value: Its wood is hard and takes a good polish; used for interior finish and furniture. The tree is also the source of maple sugar. Fig. 27. Other characters: The _bark_ is smooth in young trees and in old trees it shags in large plates. The _flowers_ appear in the early part of April. Other common names: The sugar maple is sometimes called _rock maple_ or _hard maple_. SILVER MAPLE (_Acer saccharinum_) Distinguishing characters: The tips of the *twigs curve upwards* (Fig. 28), the bark is scaly, and the leaves are very deeply cleft and are silvery on the under side. [Illustration: FIG. 25.--Leaf of Sugar Maple.] Leaf: Deeply cleft and silvery under side. Fig. 29. Form and size: A large tree with the main branches separating from the trunk a few feet from the ground. The terminal twigs are long, slender, and drooping. Range: Eastern United States. Soil and location: Moist places.