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.]
[Illustration: FIG. 80.--Bud of the Umbrella Tree.]
Enemies: Its leaves are a favorite food of caterpillars and its wood is
frequently attacked by a boring insect known as the _linden borer_
(_Saperda vestita_).
Value for planting: The linden is easily transplanted and grows rapidly.
It is used for lawn and street planting but is less desirable for these
purposes than the European species.
Commercial value: The wood is light and soft and used for paper pulp,
woodenware, cooperage and furniture. The tree is a favorite with bee
keepers on account of the large quantities of nectar contained in
its flowers.
Other characters: The _fruit_ is like a pea, gray and woody. The
_flowers_ appear in early July, are greenish-yellow and very
fragrant.
Other common names: _Bass-wood_; _lime-tree_; _whitewood_.
Comparisons: The _European lindens_, Fig. 79, of which there are several
species under cultivation, differ from the native species in having
buds and leaves smaller in size, more numerous and darker in color.
THE MAGNOLIAS
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