DECIDUOUS TREES. 453 



tage when growing quite alone. The flowers appear in July and 

 August in large spikes above the foilage, of a dark-purple color on 

 male trees, and greenish-yellow and purple on the female, and 

 are followed by purplish seeds ripe in October. The leaves 

 fall early, and change to yellow, red, and purple before they fall. 

 Height from ten to twenty feet, with nearly equal breadth of top. 



THE GUM COPAL SUMACH. Rhus copallina. This is the com- 

 mon suckering species of the fields which grows to the height of 

 three to seven feet, bearing beautiful pinnate leaves and compact 

 spikes of flowers and seeds together, which are of a bright-red 

 color, covered with a sticky light-purple bloom which has a most 

 pungent and agreeable acidity. The leaves turn to a brilliant crim- 

 son in autumn and fall early. Its suckering habit unfits it for 

 pleasure grounds. 



There are many other species, but of no value for ornament. 



THE POISON IVY, Rhus toxicodendron, will be mentioned with 



THE CHIONANTHUS. Chionanthus. 



Also known by the names Snow-flower, and Virginia Fringe- 

 tree. Fig. 154 illustrates the best form of the Chionanthus virginica. 

 It is one of the most elegant little trees, when in bloom in May and 

 June, that can grace a lawn. The flowers, like 

 snow-white filaments, hang in loose racemes 

 about four inches long all over the tree. Its 

 glossy leaves resemble those of the magnolia 

 family, or perhaps more the unlobed leaves of 

 the sassafras, but thicker and larger. Height 

 from ten to thirty feet, according to soil and 

 climate. Loudon says it requires to be grown 

 in a moist soil and sheltered situation. We 

 have seen beautiful specimens in open ground 

 in Hartford, Conn., and it does well at Flushing, L. I. ; but is too 

 tender for Rochester, N. Y. Wherever it can be made to endure 

 the winter without injury, and can be shielded from winds, it will be 



