DECIDUOUS TREES. 
453 
tage when growing quite alone. The flowers appear in July and 
August in large spikes above the foilage, of a dark-purple color on 
male trees, and greenish-yellow and purple on the female, and 
are followed by purplish seeds ripe in October. The leaves 
fall early, and change to yellow, red, and purple before they fall. 
Height from ten to twenty feet, with nearly equal breadth of top. 
d he Gum Copal Sumach. Rhus copallina .—This is the com¬ 
mon suckering species of the fields which grows to the height of 
three to seven feet, bearing beautiful pinnate leaves and compact 
spikes of flowers and seeds together, which are of a bright-red 
color, covered with a sticky light-purple bloom which has a most 
pungent and agreeable acidity. The leaves turn to a brilliant crim¬ 
son in autumn and fall early. Its suckering habit unfits it for 
pleasure grounds. 
There are many other species, but of no value for ornament. 
The Poison Ivy, Rhus toxicodendron, will be mentioned with 
vines. 
THE CHIONANTHUS. Chionanthus. 
Also known by the names Snow-flower, and Virginia Fringe- 
tree. Fig. 154 illustrates the best form of the Chionanthus virginica. 
It is one of the most elegant little trees, when in bloom in May and 
June, that can grace a lawn. The flowers, like 
snow-white filaments, hang in loose racemes 
about four inches long all over the tree. Its 
glossy leaves resemble those of the magnolia 
family, or perhaps more the unlobed leaves of 
the sassafras, but thicker and larger. Height 
from ten to thirty feet, according to soil and 
climate. Loudon says it requires to be grown 
in a moist soil and sheltered situation. We 
have seen beautiful specimens in open ground 
in Hartford, Conn., and it does well at Flushing, L. I.; but is too 
tender for Rochester, N. Y. Wherever it can be made to endure 
the winter without injury, and can be shielded from winds, it will be 
Fig. 154. 
