THE HORSECHESTNUT, ASH AND MAPLE 37 



SUGAR MAPLE [Acer saccharum) 



Distinguishing characters: The bud is sharp-pointed, 

 scaly, and reddish brown. Fig. 24. 



Leaf: Has sharp points 

 and round sinus. Fig. 25. 



Form and size: The 

 crown is oval when the tree 

 is young and round in old 

 age. Fig. 26. 



Range: Eastern United 

 States. 



Soil and location: Moist 

 and deep soil, and cool, shady 

 positions. 



Enemies : Subject to 

 drouth, especially in cities. 

 Is attacked by the sugar 

 maple borer and the maple 

 phenacoccus, a sucking insect. 



Value for planting: Its 

 rich and yellow color in the 

 fall, and the fine spread of 

 its crown make it a desir- 

 able tree for the lawn, es- 

 pecially in the country. 



Commercial value : Its 

 wood is hard and takes a 



good polish; used for interior finish and furniture. The 

 tree is also the source of maple sugar. Fig. 27. 



Other characters: The bark is smooth in young trees 

 and in old trees it shags in large plates. The flowers 

 appear in the early part of April. 



Fig. 24. 



-Twig of the Sugar 

 Maple. 



