Studies of Trees Part 3

GROUP IV. THE LARCH AND CYPRESS

How to tell them from other trees: In summer the larch and cypress may easily be told from other trees by their _leaves_. These are needle-shaped and arranged in cl.u.s.ters with numerous leaves to each cl.u.s.ter in the case of the larch, and feathery and flat in the case of the cypress. In winter, when their leaves have dropped off, the trees can be told by their cones, which adhere to the branches.

There are nine recognized species of larch and two of bald cypress.

The larch is characteristically a northern tree, growing in the northern and mountainous regions of the northern hemisphere from the Arctic circle to Pennsylvania in the New World, and in Central Europe, Asia, and j.a.pan in the Old World. It forms large forests in the Alps of Switzerland and France.

The European larch and not the American is the princ.i.p.al species considered here, because it is being planted extensively in this country and in most respects is preferable to the American species.

The bald cypress is a southern tree of ancient origin, the well-known cypress of Montezuma in the gardens of Chepultepec having been a species of Taxodium. The tree is now confined to the swamps and river banks of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, where it often forms extensive forests to the exclusion of all other trees.

In those regions along the river swamps, the trees are often submerged for several months of the year.

How to tell them from each other: In summer the larch may be told from the cypress by its leaves (compare Figs. 14 and 16). In winter the two can be distinguished by their characteristic forms. The larch is a broader tree as compared with the cypress and its form is more conical. The cypress is more slender and it is taller. The two have been grouped together in this study because they are both coniferous trees and, unlike the other Conifers, are both deciduous, their leaves falling in October.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 14.--Twig of the Larch in Summer.]

THE EUROPEAN LARCH (_Larix europaea_)

Distinguishing characters: Its leaves, which are needle-shaped and about an inch long, are borne in *cl.u.s.ters* close to the twig, Fig. 14.

There are many leaves to each cl.u.s.ter. This characteristic together with the *spire-like* form of the crown will distinguish the tree at a glance.

Leaf: The leaves are of a light-green color but become darker in the spring and in October turn yellow and drop off. The cypress, which is described below, is another cone-bearing tree which sheds its leaves in winter.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 15.--Twig of the Larch in Winter.]

Form and size: A medium-sized tree with a conical head and a straight and tapering trunk. (See Fig. 90.)

Range: Central Europe and eastern and central United States.

Soil and location: Requires a deep, fresh, well-drained soil and needs plenty of light. It flourishes in places where our native species would die. Grows very rapidly.

Enemies: The larch is subject to the attacks of a _sawfly_, which has killed many trees of the American species. A _fungus_ (_Trametes pini_) which causes the tree to break down with ease is another of its enemies.

Value for planting: A well-formed tree for the lawn. It is also useful for group planting in the forest.

Commercial value: Because its wood is strong and durable the larch is valuable for poles, posts, railroad ties, and in shipbuilding.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 16.--Twig of the Cypress.]

Other characters: The _fruit_ is a small cone about one inch long, adhering to the tree throughout the winter.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 17.--The Bald Cypress.]

Comparisons: The tree is apt to be confused with the _American larch_, also known as _tamarack_ and _hackmatack_, but differs from it in having longer leaves, cones twice as large and more abundant and branches which are more pendulous.

The larch differs from the bald cypress in the broader form of its crown and the cl.u.s.ter-like arrangement of its leaves. The twigs of the bald cypress are flat and feathery. The larch and bald cypress have the common characteristics of both shedding their leaves in winter and preferring to grow in moist or swampy soils. The larch, especially the native species, forms the well-known tamarack swamps of the north. The bald cypress grows in a similar way in groups in the southern swamps.

BALD CYPRESS (_Taxodium distichum_)

Distinguishing characters: The *feathery character* of the *twigs*, Fig.

16, and the *spire-like form* of the tree, Fig. 17, which is taller and more slender than the larch, will distinguish this species from others.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 18.--Cypress "Knees."]

Leaf: The leaves drop off in October, though the tree is of the cone-bearing kind. In this respect it is like the larch.

Form and size: Tall and pyramidal.

Range: The cypress is a southern tree, but is found under cultivation in parks and on lawns in northern United States.

Soil and location: Grows naturally in swamps, but will also do well in ordinary well-drained, good soil. In its natural habitat it sends out special roots above water. These are known as "_cypress knees_"

(Fig. 18) and serve to provide air to the submerged roots of the tree.

Enemies: None of importance.

Value for planting: An excellent tree for park and lawn planting.

Commercial value: The wood is light, soft, and easily worked. It is used for general construction, interior finish, railroad ties, posts and cooperage.

Other characters: The _bark_ is thin and scaly. The _fruit_ is a cone about an inch in diameter. The general _color_ of the tree is a dull, deep green which, however, turns orange brown in the fall.

Comparisons: The cypress and the larch are apt to be confused, especially in the winter, when the leaves of both have dropped. The cypress is more slender and is taller in form. The leaves of each are very different, as will be seen from the accompanying ill.u.s.trations.

GROUP V. THE HORSECHESTNUT, ASH AND MAPLE

How to tell them from other trees: The horsechestnut, ash, and maple have their branches and buds arranged on their stems *opposite* each other as shown in Figs. 20, 22 and 24. In other trees, this arrangement is *alternate*, as shown in Fig. 19.

How to tell these three from each other. If the bud is large--an inch to an inch and a half long--dark brown, and _sticky_, it is a _horsechestnut_.

If the bud is _not sticky_, much smaller, and _rusty brown to black_ in color, and the ultimate twigs, of an olive green color, are _flattened_ at points below the buds, it is an _ash_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 19.--Alternate Branching (Beech.)]

If it is not a horsechestnut nor an ash and its small buds have many scales covering them, the specimen with branches and buds opposite must then be a _maple_. Each of the maples has one character which distinguishes it from all the other maples. For the sugar maple, this distinguishing character is the _sharp point of the bud_. For the silver maple it is the _bend in the terminal twig_. For the red maple it is the _smooth gray-colored bark_. For the Norway maple it is the _reddish brown color of the full, round bud_, and for the box elder it is the _greenish color of its terminal twig_.

The form of the tree and the leaves are also characteristic in each of the maples, but for the beginner who does not wish to be burdened with too many of these facts at one time, those just enumerated will be found most certain and most easily followed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 20.--Opposite Branching (Horsechestnut.)]

THE HORSECHESTNUT (_Aesculus hippocastanum_)

Distinguishing characters: The *sticky* nature of the *terminal bud* and its *large size* (about an inch long). The bud is dark brown in color. See Fig. 20.

Leaf: Five to seven leaflets, usually seven. Fig. 21.