The various species of magnolia trees are readily distinguished by their buds. They all prefer moist, rich soil and have their principal value as decorative trees on the lawn. They are distinctly southern trees; some species under cultivation in the United States come from Asia, but the two most commonly grown in the Eastern States are the cucumber tree and the umbrella tree. [Illustration: FIG. 81.--Bark of the Black Locust.] CUCUMBER TREE (_Magnolia acuminata_) Distinguishing characters: The *buds* are _small_ and _slender_ compared with those of the other magnolia trees and are _covered_ with small silvery silky _hairs_. The *habit* of the tree is to form a straight axis of great height with a symmetrical mass of branches, producing a perfect monopodial crown. The tree is sometimes known as _mountain magnolia_. UMBRELLA TREE (_Magnolia tripetala_) Distinguishing characters: The _buds_, Fig. 80, are extremely _long_, often one and a half inches, have a _purple color_ and _are smooth_. The tree does not grow to large size and produces an open spreading head. Its leaves, twelve to eighteen inches long, are larger than those of the other magnolia trees. The tree is sometimes called _elkwood_. BLACK LOCUST (_Robinia pseudacacia_) Distinguishing characters: The *bark* of the trunk is _rough_ and _deeply ridged_, as shown in Fig. 81. The *buds* are _hardly noticeable_; the twigs sometimes bear small spines on one side. The leaves are large, compound, and fern-like. The individual leaflets are small and delicate. Form and size: The locust is a medium-sized tree developing a slender straight trunk when grown alongside of others; see Fig. 82. Range: Canada and United States. Soil and location: The locust will grow on almost any soil except a wet, heavy one. It requires plenty of light. Enemies: The _locust borer_ has done serious damage to this tree. The grubs of this insect burrow in the sapwood and kill the tree or make it unfit for commercial use. The _locust miner_ is a beetle which is now annually defoliating trees of this species in large numbers. Value for planting: It has little value for ornamental planting. Commercial value: Though short-lived, the locust grows very rapidly. It is extremely durable in contact with the soil and possesses great strength. It is therefore extensively grown for fence-posts and railroad ties. Locust posts will last from fifteen to twenty years. The wood is valuable for fuel. [Illustration: FIG. 82.--Black Locust Trees.] Other characters: The _flowers_ are showy pea-shaped panicles appearing in May and June. The _fruit_ is a small pod. Other common names: _Yellow locust_; _common locust_; _locust_.