Sugar maple is well adapted for planting as a filler with some light 

 demanding species, and its tolerance and heavy crown make it one of 

 the best species available for underplanting in open forest or planta- 

 tion to protect the soil. 



As a shade tree the sugar maple is the best of our native maples. 

 It is surpassed, however, by the Norway maple in rapidity of growth, 

 freedom from insect injuries, and persistence of foliage. 



METHODS OF PROPAGATION. 



Sugar maple is reproduced principally by seed. In starting a plan- 

 tation it is advisable to use nursery-grown seedlings or transplants. 



Seed years occur at intervals of three to five years, but small 

 amounts of seed Can be secured for planting any year. The seeds 

 ripen about October 1. They should be collected as soon as mature 

 and sown at once, if possible, or stratified in slightly damp sand 

 and stored in a cool place over winter. If allowed to dry, the seed 

 will lie dormant until the second season after planting, or will lose 

 all their vitality. 



While the use of shade frames is not necessary, care should be 

 taken to locate the seedbeds on the north or east side of a building 

 or grove, where the seedlings will have partial protection from the 

 sun. The seed should be sown in drills 1 inch deep, at the rate of 

 about 20 seeds per foot, since only 30 to 50 per cent of fresh seed 

 may be expected to germinate. 



There are about 7,000 maple seed in a pound, which is sufficient 

 to sow 320 linear feet of drills and should produce at least 2,500 

 plants. 



Frequently in the spring the ground near old trees is thickly cov- 

 ered with seedlings, few or none of which survive if left to compete 

 with grass and weeds. These will often serve well as nursery stock 

 if transplanted and cared for. 



PLANTING. 



One-year-old seedlings, 6 to 12 inches high, are of suitable size for 

 planting. However, since the root system of the sugar maple is 

 shallow, the young trees are very easily transplanted after two years 

 in the seedbed. In setting out the plants care should be taken to 

 make the holes large enough to accommodate the spreading lateral 

 roots without crowding them. 



Spring planting is recommended. The proper spacing of the 

 plants depends upon the object in view. For timber production or 

 protective purposes the trees should be set 6 feet apart each way, 

 but in establishing a sugar grove a wider spacing is necessary to 

 secure the required crown development. Information regarding 



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