STOERS AtlUlCULTUEAL EXrEEIMENT STATION. 313 



LXTliODlJCTIOX 



Before considering the indi\-idual trees in detail it seems de- 

 siraljlc to give a general discussion of tlie diiferent terms used as 

 headings in the description of tlie species. 



N"AME — A common English name heads llie description of each 

 tree and this nanu- is irsed througlKXit the Ijnok as the designation 

 of a particular Sjiecies. The same i'ona may he known 

 in different localities hy 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 somewluit more 

 desirable for the whole of New England than the other names 

 given in smaller type as synonyms. Often se\'eral corumon names 

 may be in about equally frequent use. 'idici'c is, however, only 

 one scientific name at present sanctioned by liotanical authorities 

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



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

 of a tree seen as a wdiole. A tree strictly sjieaking is generally 

 considered as a woodv gi'owth having an uiidi\ided ti'uiik 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 l)raneli fj'om the \-ery 

 base. Xo hard and fast line, however, can be drawn between a 

 tree and a shrub. JIany 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 shrulis in New 

 England become trees in states outside this grou|). A young tree 

 sometimes resemljles a shruii, l)ut is more ra]iid in growth and 

 generally does not l>ear fruit until it has reacJied a considerable 

 size. Of the forms on the boi-dt'i-Jine Ijctween trees and shrubs 

 only those have been treated that have demanded recognition on 

 account of their commonness or their relationship with other 

 forms. 



The information regarding the dimensi(jns of a tree are of 

 minor importance for purposes of identification, 1)ut arc of con- 

 siderable value to the woodsman. The diameter ai the trunk may 

 be best measured directly by calipers at breast height from tlie 

 ground or indirectly obtained liy dividing the circumference by 

 3 (more accurately liy "^ =3.1416). A number of rough methods 

 of estimating height ai'c given in books on forestry. For example, 



o 



