244 BULLETIN NO. 62. 



for the production of sugar, are unsurpassed as trees for shade 

 and shelter, and find almost any soil or situation in a temperate 

 climate congenial. Yet, strang-e to say, they have been planted 

 but little in Utah, if we except the Box Elder, which, from a 

 botanical standpoint, must be called a maple. Their superior 

 merits for general planting- consist of a strong-, steady growth, 

 beauty of form and verdure, freedom from pests, and the ease 

 with which they are transplanted. The high esteem in which 

 maples are held wherever trees are planted in temperate cli- 

 mates is a great testimonial of their worth. It would be hard to 

 say why they are not better thought of in this State. The cur- 

 rent objection that they are slow in growing-, applies to all 

 other trees in this region that are worth having. The forcing 

 of their sale by nurserymen would do much in aiding a more 

 general distribution of them, which they certainly deserve. 



There are several European maples, as well as nearly all 

 that are natives of this continent, that will thrive in Utah, but 

 we can give attention only to the three representatives found on 

 our grounds. In parts of the State where the climate is a little 

 milder than here, some of the Japanese maples, probably, can be 

 grown and would make beautiful ornamentals. 



Sugar Maple. (Acer saccharum Marsh.) This tree hardly 

 needs to be described, so frequently is it to be found. It is the 

 commonest and largest of the maples in this country, and among 

 them all furnishes the best timber and the densest shade. The 

 foliage appears early in the spring and hangs long after the drop- 

 ping of the leaves of most other trees, displaying all through 

 the autumn a great variety of autumnal tints, making the Sugar 

 Maple at this season the most beautiful objectof natural scenery. 

 These qualities make this species one of the best of shade and 

 road-side trees. 



The Sugar Maple needs to be transplanted when young and 

 should be cut back severely, otherwise it suffers from the change. 

 For the first few years after it is transplanted its growth is slow. 

 Our trees, nine years from transplanting, average 23 feet in 

 height, and 15 inches in circumference. They are iron-clad as 

 to cold but suffer from lack of water, and greatly dislike alkali. 

 The wood is hard, strong and heavy; weight per cubic foot, 43 

 pounds. 



Black Sugar Maple* (Acer saccharinum nignim (Michx.) 

 Britton. ) This tree is distinguished from the former by its 



