VI. WINTER 



TWIG OF RED 



MULBERRY 



bA 

 C-- 



r-~Q 



lows, are so small and light that they are carried long distances by 

 the wind; others, like the hickory nuts and walnuts, are too heavy 

 to be wind-blown. Many fruits are of considerable economic and 

 commercial importance and are gathered and marketed on a large 

 scale; such are the hickory nuts, wal- 

 nuts, chestnuts, etc. Some, not esteemed 

 by man, form an important article of 

 diet for the birds and small animals 

 of the forest. Unfortunately, there are 

 a number of limitations to the useful- 

 ness of fruit for identification pur- 

 poses. Some trees require years to 

 mature their fruit. Many trees, while 

 producing an abundance of fruit at cer- 

 tain intervals, bear none at all or only 

 very small and uncertain quantities be- 

 tween the years of abundance. Again, 

 in the case of dioecious trees, only the 

 female or pistillate bear fruit. Not- 

 withstanding these limitations tree fruits 

 are a very valuable aid to the student, 

 and he should always search closely for 

 evidences of theirpresence and character. 

 WINTER-BUDS. Buds, with their 

 accompanying leaf- and stipule-scars 

 form the basis of tree identification in 

 winter. The size, color, position with 

 reference to the twig, number and ar- 

 rangement and character of bud-scales, 

 etc., are all characters of the greatest 

 value in winter determinations. Buds 

 are either terminal or lateral, depending 

 on their position on the twig. A lateral bud is one situated on 

 the side of a twig in the axil of a leaf-scar. A terminal bud is 

 one situated at the end of a twig, where it is ready to continue 

 the growth of the twig the following spring. In the keys an 

 important consideration is the presence or absence of the terminal 

 bud. Inasmuch as the determination of this point gives the' 

 beginner some trouble at first, it is hoped that the accompanying 

 diagrams and explanatory remarks will make -the distinction clear. 



XV 



d 



d 



a. Tip-scar. 



b. Lateral bud. 



c. Leaf-scar. 



d. Stipule-scars. 



