1 88 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



its beauty. Where it is desirable to obtain shade as soon as possible, and at the 

 same time have a beautiful tree, this species should be selected. Of the two soft 

 maples the White is readily distinguished from the Red at first sight by the upward 

 curve of the tips on the lower branches, a distinct peculiarity which adds to the 

 pleasing outlines of this tree. 



The Red Alaple is a rapidly growing tree of attractive appearance, the light gray 

 bark on the limbs affording a pleasing contrast to its bright green foliage. In addi- 

 tion to many of the good qualities belonging to the maple it displays a scarlet leaf 

 in autumn, which changes later to a dark crimson. Its foliage is the first to change 

 color, some trees showing their red leaves early in August, and the conspicuous red 

 flowers make it noticeable also in early spring. As it seldom attains its full size 

 when planted in cities it is well adapted to narrow streets. 



There seems to be a general prejudice against the Ailanthus, or Ailantus as some- 

 times spelled ; and yet it withstands the injurious effects of city life better than 

 any other species. It has a peculiar beauty also in the graceful sweep of its large 

 pinnate leaves, suggestive of the Stag Horn Sumach, which remain green until they 

 fall. Objection has been made to the disagreeable odor of its flowers, but this lasts 

 for only a few days, and can be entirely obviated by planting pistillate trees. The 

 peculiar bark, in which there is traced an arabesque-like pattern, is an interesting 

 study, while the large clusters of reddish bronze samaras on a pistillate tree in 

 autumn make it a thing of beauty and object of enjoyment worth a long walk to see. 

 Brisbin states that it was first introduced in the United States by Mr. William Ham- 

 ilton, in 1784, and that a sucker, planted from the original tree in 1809, is at present 

 standing in the Bartram Botanic Garden. In 1820 Mr. William Prince, a nursery- 

 man at Flushing, Long Island, imported the Ailanthus from Europe, and from this 

 stock most of the trees in New York and its vicinity were supplied. Although an 

 exotic it reproduces itself readily, its winged seeds often lodging in the cracks of 

 paved areas, where the young trees may be seen growing in nooks and corners along 

 the house line. The Ailanthus is not onlj^ immune from insect blight, but there is 

 no species that can approach it in the ability to thrive in the poor soil and amid the 

 unfavorable conditions of city streets. 



The Cucumber Tree is a magnolia of stately growth, with a trunk from sixty to 

 eighty feet in height. It grows rapidly, develops a pyramidal form, and fulfills all 

 the requirements of a desirable shade tree. It is advisable to use a small tree in 

 transplanting. Its common name is due to the fruit, which, when green, resem- 

 bles somewhat a small cucumber. 



For narrow streets, or where there is little space between the house line and the 



