THE MAPLE. 335 



maple can do with somewhat less fertile soil than sycamore, 

 also with less moisture, but stands a higher degree of it than 

 the other maple. 



d. Shape and Development. 

 The stem of the maple, though straight, divides rather low 

 down into branches ; it forms large oval crowns if grown in 

 the open, which are of moderate density. In crowded woods 

 the maple develops a tall, cylindrical stem, with a small 

 crown restricted to the upper part of the stem. The root 

 system is deep-going. Maple at first shows quick height 

 growth, which falls off comparatively early, so that it is liable 

 to be passed by beech, though it may ultimately reach the same 

 height. Both maples reach a large diameter, and a great age. 



e. Reproductive Poiver. 

 Sycamore produces full crops of seed after the age of 40 

 years, Norway maple a few years earlier ; they are not very 

 heavy, and occur about every other year. On the whole the 

 reproductive power by seed is good ; that from the stool is 

 moderate, and the stools do not last long. 



/. Character and Composition of Woods. 

 Though maple is fairly well adapted for pure woods, it is 

 generally mixed with other species, especially beech, also oak, 

 and even conifers. 



(/. Sylvicuttiirdl Systems. 



High forest, standards in coppice, and coppice. 



h. Formation of Woods. 



Maple is generally planted, though it reproduces naturally 

 wherever it has a chance. 



The seed ripens in September to October ; it falls in 

 October and into the winter months. The germinating 

 power disappears rapidly after the following spring. Good 

 seed should show a germinating percentage of at least 55. 

 One pound of seed of sycamore contains about 5,000 seeds, of 

 Norway maple somewhat more. 



