a true monopodium.

[Illustration: FIG. 76.--Leaf and Fruit of the Sweet Gum. Note the corky
ridges along the twig.]

Range: From Connecticut to Florida and west to Missouri.

Soil and location: Grows in any good soil but prefers low wet ground. It
grows rapidly and needs plenty of light.

Enemies: Is very often a favorite of leaf-eating caterpillars.

Value for planting: The tree is sought for the brilliant color of its
foliage in the fall, and is suitable for planting both on the lawn
and street. In growing the tree for ornamental purposes it is
important that it should be frequently transplanted in the nursery
and that it be transported with burlap wrapping around its roots.

Commercial value: The wood is reddish brown in color, tends to splinter
and is inclined to warp in drying. It is used in cooperage, veneer
work and for interior finish.

Other characters: On the smaller branches there are irregular
developments of cork as shown in Fig. 76, projecting in some cases
to half an inch in thickness.

Other common names: _Red gum_.

Comparisons: The _cork elm_ is another tree that possesses corky ridges
along its twigs, but this differs from the sweet gum in wanting the