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.

Enemies: The _leopard moth_, a wood-boring insect, and the
_cottony-maple scale_, a sucking insect.

[Illustration: FIG. 26.--The Sugar Maple.]

Value for planting: Grows too rapidly and is too short-lived to be
durable.

Commercia