SUGAR MAPLE; ROCK OR HARD MAPLE (Acer saccharum, 

 Marsh). 60 to 120 feet. Handsome, compact, symmetrical 

 tree with many upright limbs, forming an oval head, which 

 in old age becomes more spreading. Bark gray, deeply 

 fissured, scaly; limbs pale; twigs reddish brown. Wood heavy, 

 hard, strong, red-brown, tough, close-grained, used for floor- 

 ing, interior finish, saddles, turned wares and fuel. Leaves 

 heart-shaped, deeply cleft by 2 wide sinuses into 3 main 

 lobes, which are toothed and wavy, tapering to apex; 4 to 5 

 inches long and wide, smooth, dark green, with paler lining, 

 turning yellow and red in autumn. Stalks 2 to 3 inches long, 

 slender. Flowers with leaves in late spring, in opposite fas- 

 cicles, hairy, long-stemmed, greenish, small flowers, without 

 petals, monoecious or polygamous. Fruit, clustered keys, 

 smooth, plump seeds with wings 1 inch long, slightly diver- 

 gent. Dist.: Newfoundland to Great Lakes; south to Flor- 

 ida; west to Nebraska and Texas. Sap makes maple sugar. 

 Best of all maples. 



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