50 



TIMBER TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



the thick sapwoodof 30 to 40 layers of annual growth, still lighter. 

 It is not used in Xorth Carolina. 



Acer barbatum, Michaux.* 

 (sugar maple, sugar-tree, rock maple.) 



A large tree of great commercial value, with a broad round top 

 when old, and light gray-brown deeply furrowed bark, reaching a 

 height of 120 and a diameter of 4 feet. (Plate lY.) 



It grows in rich woods, often forming extensive forests, and is 

 most abundant in the mountains. It occurs from southern New- 

 foundland to the Lake of the Woods, southward to northern Ala- 

 bama and western Florida, and westward to Minnesota, eastern 

 Nebraska, Kansas and Texas ; reaciiing its best development in the 

 region of the great lakes. 



1 Area Li which the SUGAR MAPLE is found 

 j only locally. 



It occurs throughout this State, growing to an average height 

 of from 50 to 80 feet and a diameter of 2 to 3 feet, but is most com- 

 mon in the mountains. It is a small tree in the Piedmont plateau 

 and reduced to a mere shrub in the coastal plain region, where it 

 is confined to borders of streams and swamps. (Fig. 6.) 



The sugar maple bears seed about every third or fourth year. 

 Seedlings are very abundant in the woods, and bear dense shade 

 remarkably well; they spring up quickly in thinned woods, also, 

 and where lumbering has been in progress. 



*Acer saccharinum, Wagn. 



