The horsechestnut came originally from Southeastern Europe and was introduced into gardens about the middle of the sixteenth century. Its wood has no commercial value. The generic name, _Æsculus_, comes from _esca_, food, the ancient name of an oak with edible acorns; it was probably given to this tree on account of its large chestnut-like fruit. _Hippocastanum_, from _hippos_, a horse, _castanea_, a chestnut, alludes to the fruit which is made into horse medicine in Turkey. The Ohio buckeye (_Æsculus glabra_) is a shrub or low tree found west of the Alleghanies. Its terminal bud is frequently lacking, and the two upper lateral buds grow large and take its place. Its buds and stems resemble those of the horsechestnut, but the two species would never be confused. [Illustration: Enlarged longitudinal section of the bud of a horsechestnut, showing two folded, undeveloped leaves and an undeveloped spike of flowers.] CHAPTER III THE MAPLES [Illustration: 1. Sugar Maple. 2. Silver Maple. 3. Red Maple. 4. Moosewood. 5. Mountain Maple. 6. Norway Maple. 7. Sycamore. 8 A and B. Ash-leaved Maple, showing the varying color of the stems.] Chapter III THE MAPLES Family Aceraceæ Maples have long been famous for beauty of blossom in the early spring, and richness of foliage in the late summer and autumn; but a study of the twigs and buds after the leaves have fallen, the varying colors of buds and stems, the delicacy of twigs and branches, and grace of outline as trees demonstrates effectively the unusual beauty of the maples in winter. The family name _Acer_ comes from the Latin word for sharp, which was originally derived from _ac_, a Celtic word meaning a point. The name was given to this genus because the wood was much sought after in ancient times for the heads of pikes and lances. Among some forty species of maple there are six native species, if the ash-leaved maple is included in this genus. Two species from Europe, the Norway and sycamore maples, are planted commonly throughout New England. All the maples have opposite leaf-scars. [Sidenote: Sugar or Rock Maple _Acer saccharum_] _The general shape is erect, with smooth, clean branches. In old trees the bark breaks away in long, shallow fissures with curling ridges, giving the trunk a ploughed appearance. The buds are narrow, brown, and sharp-pointed. Delicate pinkish leaves folded inside the bud. Leaf-scars small and opposite; also the twigs branch opposite each other._ Among the different characteristics of this tree in winter, two stand out conspicuously as unfailing means of identification,—the sharp-pointed brown buds and the rough furrowed trunk with smooth places between the fissures. When young it can be distinguished at a distance by its erect habit of growth and general shapeliness, the main trunk often extending up into the tree unbroken by divisions. [Illustration: SUGAR MAPLE _Acer saccharum_ Page 22 ] [Illustration: TRUNK OF A YOUNG SUGAR MAPLE