THE LARCH AND CYPRESS 31 



its natural habitat it sends out special roots above water. 

 These are known as " cypress knees " (Fig. 18) and serve to 

 provide air to the submerged roots of the tree. 



Enemies: None of importance. 



Value for planting: An excellent tree for park and 

 lawn planting. 



Commercial value: The wood is light, soft, and easily 

 worked. It is used for general construction, interior finish, 

 railroad ties, posts and cooperage. 



Other characters: The bark is thin and scaly. The 

 fruit is a cone about an inch in diameter. The general 

 color of the tree is a dull, deep green which, however, turns 

 orange brown in the fall. 



Comparisons: The cypress and the larch are apt to be 

 confused, especially in the winter, when the leaves of both 

 have dropped. The cypress is more slender and is taller 

 in form. The leaflets of each are very different, as will 

 be seen from the accompanying illustrations. 



GROUP V. THE HORSECHESTNUT, ASH AND MMLE 



How to tell them from other trees: The horsechestnut, 

 ash, and maple have their branches and buds arranged 

 on their stems opposite each other as shown in Figs. 20, 

 22 and 24. In other trees, this arrangement is alternate, 

 as shown in Fig. 19. 



How to tell these three from each other. If the bud 

 is large an inch to an inch and a half long dark brown, 

 and sticky, it is a horsechestnut. 



If the bud is not sticky, much smaller, and rusty brown 

 to black in color, and the ultimate twigs, of an olive green 

 color, are flattened at points below the buds, it is an ash. 



