PART II.— THE IDENTIFICATION OF TREES 

 EXPLANATION OF TERMS 



Before considering the individual trees in detail it seems de- 

 sirable to give a general discussion of the different terms used as 

 headings in the description of the species. 



Name — A common English name heads the description of 

 each tree and this name is used throughout the book as the 

 designation of a particular species. The same form may be known 

 in different localities by several entirely different common names. 

 Thus the Tupelo in some places is called only Pepperidge, in 

 others, Sour Gum or Black Gum. After consultation with the 

 literature the name Tupelo was chosen as being somewhat more 

 desirable for the whole of New England than the other names 

 given in smaller type as synonyms. Often several common names 

 may be in about equally frequent use. There is in general, only 

 one scientific name at present sanctioned by botanical authorities 

 and this is placed first, followed by the Latin synonyms in italics. 



Habit — By the word habit, we denote the general appearance 

 of a tree seen as a whole. A tree strictly speaking is generally 

 considered as a woody growth having an undivided trunk at the 

 base and rising to at least twice the height of a man. A shrub 

 on the other hand is low-growing and may branch from the very 

 base. No hard and fast line, however, can be drawn between a 

 tree and a shrub. Many trees at the limit of their range or 

 under unfavorable conditions are reduced to the form and dimen- 

 sions of a shrub and some forms growing as shrubs in New England 

 become trees in states outside this group. A young tree sometimes 

 resembles a shrub, but is more ra])id in growth and generally does 

 not bear fruit until it has reached a considerable size. Of the 

 forms on the borderline between trees and shrubs only those have 

 been treated that have demanded recognition on account of their 

 commonness or their relationship with other forms. 



