Rural School Leaflet 



1223 



THE MAPLES OF NEW YORK 



John Bentley, Jr. 



The maple family is a large one, containing many trees that are not 

 only useful but also ornamental. In fact, most of the maples are valued 

 chiefly because of their beauty of foliage. About thirteen kinds are con- 



sidered native to 

 but by far the 

 of the maples are 

 and the islands 

 continent. Many 

 maples — some of 

 some shrubs — ■ 

 in this country 

 in parks and gar- 

 streets; so that, 

 in the country or 

 are almost sure 

 Maples are 

 perhaps, because 

 Whether we con- 

 ual leaves of a 

 the whole mass 

 appears on a large 

 leaves are beauti- 

 tender leaves of 

 maple when they 



the United States, 

 greatest number 

 native to Asia 

 bordering that 

 of these foreign 

 them trees, and 

 have been planted 

 and are common 

 dens or along city 

 whether we are 

 in the city, we 

 to see maple trees, 

 noticeable chiefly, 

 of their foliage, 

 sider the individ- 

 silver maple or 

 of foliage as it 

 sugar maple, the 

 ful. The little 

 the soft, or red, 

 burst from the 



Sugar maple 



buds in April are rich and warm in coloring; and what boy or girl who 

 has been in the country during the month of October does not know 

 the brilliant colors for which the maples are famous? The reds, golds, 

 and yellows seem to flood the autumn air with a warmth and light which 

 adds life to it. 



Let us make a list of the maples that we may expect to find in New 

 York State, and then add a few descriptive notes regarding them: 



1. Sugar, or hard, maple 



2. Red, or soft, maple 



3. Moosewood, or striped maple (a shrub or small tree) 



4. Mountain maple (a shrub) 



5. Silver maple 



6. Box elder, or ash-leaved maple 



7. Norway maple (not native, but commonly planted) 



8. Sycamore maple (imported) 



