THE HORSECHESTNUT, ASH AND MAPLE 33 



many of these facts at one time, 

 those just enumerated will ]je 

 found most certain and most 

 easily followed. 



THE HORSECHESTNUT 



(^sculus hippocastanum) 



Distinguishing characters : 

 The sticky nature of the ter- 

 minal 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. 



Form and size: Medium- 

 sized tree, pyramidal head and 

 coarse twigs. 



Range: Europe and eastern 

 United States. 



Soil and location: Prefers a 

 deep, rich soil. 



Enemies: The leaves are 

 the favorite food of caterpillars 

 and are subject to a blight which 

 turns them brown prematurely. 

 The trunk is often attacked by 

 a disease which causes the flow 

 of a slimy sulistance. 



Value for planting: On account of its showy flowers, 

 the horsechestnut is a favorite for tb.e park and lawn. 



Fig. 20. — Opposite Branch- 

 ing (Horsechestnut.) 



