common 
name, Golden Rain Tree iKoelreuteria paniculata) 
refers to it when in flower. This tree does not grow 
tall, but produces a rather low, wide-spreading top with 
the contorted branches characteristic of most Asiatics. 
It may reach thirty feet in height in forty years, but it 
will have a spread even greater at that time. It is 
relatively free of pests and has no serious diseases, al- 
though the trunk commonly splits in the coldest pa«-t of 
the winter. Such "frost cracks" are characteristic of 
the tree in our territory and appear to do only a limited 
amount of harm. The seeds are easily germinated, the 
seedlings grow rapidly, and the tree often escapes from 
cultivation. The foliage is quite interesting and is un- 
like that of any native tree. The plant matures quickly 
and ten year old seedlings produce a full quota of 
flowers. 
GUM 
Under this title there are two distinct species. 
First is the Black Gum Uyssa Sylvatica), the most bril 
liantly colored of all trees in fall. It can hardly be 
called a native of St. Louis territory, but it is perfectly 
at home well up into Pennsylvania. This tree has no bad 
fault. The foliage is clean and interesting. The flp 
and fruit are so small and inconspicuous and it could oe 
grown either on the lawn or on the street. Its use has 
been limited, not by any bad features, but rather because 
it is a most difficult tree to transplant. The extreme ly 
brilliant red foliage of fall would be repayment for any 
expenditure of time and effort to grow a specimen, it 
is a forest giant, ordinarily producing a long straignt 
trunk with a rather small crown, but as a lawn tree, 
will retain the lower branches and grow more s^^^^^^^^^ 
height. It would not be a hard tree to maintain; 
pruning would not be difficult. 
The Sweet Gum {Liquidamber Styraciflua) ^^^^^^^""^ 
tree with the name "Gum," is not at all ^^^^^^^ .„^. . . 
even 
tree wiin tne name "uum," it> "v^^ "«- **** . . ^„-,tinn 
above species. This tree needs less of an ^^^^^^^^'^^ 
since it is being quite generally used as a l^wn i • 
It could be grown as well as a street tree, P^°^J**^J^^ 
lowance was made for its maximum development. J-^' ' 
is a giant of the southern forests, growing a h""^^^° ^ 
feet high with a trunk diameter of three feet or i & • 
9 
