268 



Trees for Shade and Ornament 



but have points which make them equal, if not superior in value,' to 

 the native species: 



A. plalanoides Linn. (146), Norway Maple, is nearest in outline, 

 habit and form of foliage to the sugar maple, except that the foliage is 

 usually larger, of somewhat darker shade, and its dense, finely fissured, 

 brownish bark is superior to the gray, flaky bark of the sugar maple. 

 It is the finest and earliest bloomer among the maples, with pendulous 



Fig. 91. — Mediterranean Maple. Acer M onss pessitlamim L.'mn. 



clusters of greenish yellow flowers (March, April), and excels in its long 

 leaf period. It is very hardy, a very rapid grower, and adaptive to 

 any soil and situation; a perfect shade tree, free from all troubles, alto- 

 gether the most serviceable maple. 



A. pseudoplatanus Linn. (147), Sycamore Maple, also from northern 

 Europe, and hardy at Ottawa if grown from northern seed, is quite dis- 

 tinctive from all other maples by its large, rich, dark green, thick leaves 

 on long reddish stems, and its long pendents of conspicuous, although 

 green, flowers and fruit, a striking ornamental. In outline and branch 

 habit it is less elegant and symmetrical than the former, being stiffer 



