ITanduook of Tkkks of 



X. 



i:i;.\ S'iAri:s and Ca.naka. 327 



The Black Maple, liki' (lie Su-;n- ;^laplc. \s 

 a stately tri'o attainiii- the hci-lit ui SO or 

 100 ft. will) trunk ;{ or 4 ft. in ilinnictcr, and 

 also wIr'U isolatiil devfidps a distinct ovoid lop 

 uf iipii-j;lit liraiichfs, and thfso gradually IxmkI 

 ing outward make in old age a broad rounded 

 top. With the country folk generally no <iis 

 tinelioii is made Ix'tweeii this and the true 

 Sugar .Mai)le. and its sap is likewise used in 

 sugar-making, hut to tlie observer its drooping 

 coneave leaves and other botanical features 

 indicate its distinctness. It thrives best in the 

 rich soil of river-bottoms in company with tae 

 Silver and Red Maples, Box Elder, Swamp 

 White Oak. Kingnut Hickory, etc. Like the 

 Sugar Maple it is a favorite shade tree owing 

 to its abundant foliage, which in autiunn as- 

 sumes gorgeous scarlet, orange and yellow 

 tints. 



The wood is hard, heavy and strong, similar 



to that of the Sugar Maple and a])plied to the 



same uses. A cubic foot when absolutely dry 



weighs 43.09 lbs. 



Tjcavrs mostl.v .S-lobod (occasionally ."-lobed* 

 with broad short and ficncrally acuininate lobes, 

 entire or slightl.v undulated, cordate at base with 

 lobes sometimes overlapping, toiiieiitose at first 

 but at maturit.v glabrous dull dark f;reen above, 

 yellow-Rreen and pubi'scent at least on the veins 

 beneath, firm and witb drodpiuj; sides; petioles 

 stout and generally beariiiL: stipules at the en- 

 larged base. FloKurs .ippearini; with the leaves 

 in subsessile hairy pendent corymbs with slender 

 pedicels 2-.*? in. long ; calyx campanulate ; corolla 

 none; stamens 7-8; ovary pilose. Fruit ripening 

 in autumn : samaras glabrous, with <iuite divergent 

 wings nearly 1 in. loin;. 



