TREES AND SHRUBS 125 
5. Recognition in Winter. — The first thing that most of us want to 
know when we approach an object to study it, is its name. There are 
many people who know the box elder, elm, lilac, spirea, Virginia creeper, 
etc., in the beauty of their summer foliage, but when they meet the same 
stem and branches in winter nakedness, they pass them by without 
recognition. Therefore all the species of trees and shrubs and vines to 
be found in the neighborhood should be scrutinized until you can identify 
them without the aid of their leaves. We must notice the general out- 
line of the entire plant, with its branches; notice whether it is tall and 
slender, or low and diffusely branched ; notice the mode 
of branching, and the shape of branches and twigs, 
whether straight or angular, slender or thickish; notice 
the bark, whether smooth, or furrowed, or roughened 
otherwise ; and notice the color of stem, of branches, 
and of the smaller twigs. All these things and many 
more the experienced eye takes in at a glance, and 
they reveal the identity of the species at once. 
6. Annual Growth. — Examine some branches and 
practice locating the rings that mark the stages in the 
annual growth. In the cottonwood, box elder, and 
many others it is easy to make out the growths of the 
last three or four years. 
7. Position of Leaves and Buds.—WNotice the rela- 
tive position of leaves and buds. ‘You can tell by the 
The figures 1, 
scars where the leaves were last summer, and you see 
: : 3 2,and 3 show the 
that the buds are in the angle which the leaf made with jumber of years 
the shoot. The leaf started first, and as the season old that each part 
advanced the bud formed in its axil, and it clung fast 1s; g denotes the 
when the leaf fell in the autumn. annual girdle on 
8. Buds become Branches. — Put some twigs of wil- epee ners 
the leaf-scar. 
low, or other tree or shrub, in a jar or large bottle of 
water and keep in a warm room, to “force” them. You will in this way 
be able to see that the buds are not merely leaves, but are really 
branches with many leaves. Note that the baby branch is usually 
covered with dry, waxy scales, which keep out snow and rain. In some 
species this cover is lacking and the bud is said to be naked. Can you 
find any of these? 
9. Some Buds Remain Dormant. — (a) Observe the buds on the 
Twic OF GREEN 
ASH 
