The Nature Library

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Aa. the Deciduous, Broad-leaved Trees

B. Position of leaves opposite.

C. Leaves simple.

D. Fruit winged, I-sided keys in pairs. The Maples

DD. Fruit clustered berries.

E. Flowers 4-parted; berry 2-seeded; leaves not saw-toothed on margins. The Dogwoods

EE. Flowers 5-parted; berry, I-seeded; leaves finely saw-toothed on margins.

The Viburnums

DDD. Fruit long, rod-like pods, with thin seeds.

The Catalpas

CC. Leaves compound.

D. Fruit slender, winged darts in thick clusters; leaflets set along central leaf stem.

The Ashes

DD. Fruit large nuts in leathery husks; leaflets clustered on end of leaf stalk.

The Buckeyes

BB. Position of leaves alternate.

C. Leaves simple.

D. Bases of leaves symmetrical.

E. Fruit fleshy, globular, more or less edible.

F. Seeds solitary.

G. Margins of leaves saw-toothed.

The Plums and Cherries

GG. Margins of leaves not saw-toothed.

The Tupelos

FF. Seeds several in walled cells.

G. Cores papery.

H. Fruit small, berry-like.

The Juneberries

HH. Fruit large.

The Apples

GG. Cores bony; fruit thin fleshed.

The Hawthorns

EE. Fruits dry.

F. Seeds borne in protecting cups or burs.

G. Burs scaly, not opening when ripe; nut conical.

The Oaks

GG. Burs spiny, 4-valved, opening when ripe.

H. Nuts triangular, small.

The Beech

HH. Nuts conical, larger.

The Chestnut

FF. Seeds borne in swinging balls.

G. Leaves star shaped; branches corky ridged.

The Sweet Gum

GG. Leaves broad, 3 to 5-lobed, bark shed in sheets, leaving pale, irregular patches.

The Sycamore, or Buttonwood

FFF. Seeds borne in cone-like heads.

G. Bark in horizontal sheets.

The Birches

GG. Bark smooth; leaves large, leathery.

H. Leaves pointed at tip; seeds scarlet, berry-like, on elastic threads.

The Magnolias

HH. Leaves truncate at apex; seeds dry, with long, flat wing.

The Tulip Tree

FFFF. Seeds borne in 2-valved pods on elongated catkins; minute and hid in cottony down.

G. Leaves narrow; branches supple.

The Willows

GG. Leaves broad; leaf stalks flat, branches stiff, angular.

The Poplars

DD. Bases of leaves unsymmetrical.

E. Fruit, a berry; leaves with three main veins; bark warty.

The Hackberries

EE. Fruit dry with circular wing; leaves oval with prominent, straight veins. The Elms

EEE. Fruit a woody ball on leaf-like blade; leaves large, distinctly one-sided.

The Lindens, or Basswoods

CC. Leaves compound.

D. Fruit, a flat pod.

The Locusts

DD. Fruit, a nut.

E. Husk opening when ripe by four valves.

The Hickories

EE. Husk not opening when ripe.

The Walnuts