Rural School Leaflet 



1357 



ASPEN 



The American aspen, also known as quaking aspen, trembling aspen, 

 popple aspen, and small-toothed aspen, may be distinguished by the roimd 

 or ovate leaves, which have finely saw-toothed margins and short points. 

 The aspen is more conspicuous in simimer, when the constant treinbling 

 motion of its leaves attracts the attention, than it is in winter, although 

 in some individual trees the 

 smooth, green bark of the 

 trunk is very attractive in 

 contrast with the snow. The 

 large-toothed aspen may be 

 distinguished by its coarsely 

 wavy-toothed leaves, which 

 are larger than those of the 

 American aspen, which it re- 

 sembles. (See illustration.) 

 Both species are ver>' common 

 throughout New York State, 

 especially on abandoned fields, 

 on land from which the trees 

 have been cut, and on burned 

 areas. The aspen reproduces 

 very easily from seed, and 

 often it is the first tree to 

 spring up after a woodlot 

 has been cut over. It grows 

 rapidly and is short lived, but 

 is of value because it covers 

 the soil rapidly and acts as a 

 temporary shelter for more 

 valuable trees while they are 

 young. The wood is from 

 light brown to white in color 

 and is neither strong nor dur- 

 able. It is the first wood that 

 was used in making paper pulp. It is used, also, for buckets, pails, 

 kegs, wooden dishes, and boxes. 



Arbor vitcz 



BUTTERNUT 



The butternut, sometimes known as white walnut, is in size usually small 

 to meditmi reaching a height of from thirty to fifty feet and a diameter 

 of from one to two feet. Many, however, reach a height of one hundred 



