Fig. 81.—Bark of the Black Locust.
Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata)
Distinguishing characters: The buds are small and slender compared with those of the other magnolia trees and are covered with small silvery silky hairs. The habit of the tree is to form a straight axis of great height with a symmetrical mass of branches, producing a perfect monopodial crown. The tree is sometimes known as mountain magnolia.
Umbrella Tree (Magnolia tripetala)
Distinguishing characters: The buds, [Fig. 80], are extremely long, often one and a half inches, have a purple color and are smooth. The tree does not grow to large size and produces an open spreading head. Its leaves, twelve to eighteen inches long, are larger than those of the other magnolia trees. The tree is sometimes called elkwood.
Black Locust (Robinia pseudacacia)
Distinguishing characters: The bark of the trunk is rough and deeply ridged, as shown in [Fig. 81]. The buds are hardly noticeable; the twigs sometimes bear small spines on one side. The leaves are large, compound, and fern-like. The individual leaflets are small and delicate.
Form and size: The locust is a medium-sized tree developing a slender straight trunk when grown alongside of others; see [Fig. 82].
Range: Canada and United States.
Soil and location: The locust will grow on almost any soil except a wet, heavy one. It requires plenty of light.