The Maple Family 



191 



This is a forest tree of the Pacific coast. It grows at most 

 to a height of about ninety feet, with a diameter of about three 

 feet, and the branches are long and sometimes drooping at 

 the ends. It is found along the Pacific 

 coast as far north as Alaska and extends 

 inland in the valleys at the southern part 

 of the province, but reaches its greatest 

 size farther south. 



5. VINE MAPLE. Acer circinatum. Pursh. 



This is a trailing or somewhat climbing 

 tree which grows along streams in the 

 southern part of British Columbia near 

 the coast. Sometimes it forms dense 

 thickets. It has smooth, reddish-brown 

 bark and almost orbicular, five or seven-lobed leaves on short 

 petioles. The sterile and fertile flowers grow together in droop- 

 ing clusters at the ends of the branches, and open almost with 

 the leaves. 



The wood is light brown, hard and durable, and is used to a 

 small extent for making tools and other small articles. It 

 has been used considerably in cultivation and may be trained 

 to be very ornamental. 



FIG. 47. Vine Maple. 



