24 



STREET AND HIGHWAY PLANTING. 



is not found in the best condition in the San Joaquin Valley or in any 

 place where there is a great heat in the summer season, for like all 

 eastern maples it does not enjoy the dry heat of California summers. 



Acer saccharinum Linn. (Fig. 6), the common silver maple, is often 

 planted in the parkings, where it is desirable because of its quick 

 growth. Like most rapidly growing trees, however, it is not long- 

 lived and the wood is very brittle. The foliage is attractive and the 

 tree of good form, standing severe pruning, but the light nature of the 

 wood makes it an easy victim of the storms that come, of the fungi that 

 thrive in the open wounds, and of many insects. 



Figure 7. 



Acer saccharum Marsh (Fig. 7), the hard maple, was found in Fair- 

 mount Park at Riverside. Although these specimens were on low 

 ground where there was sufficient water, they had a starved appearance. 

 There is some chance that the soil was the factor which caused the 

 trouble, but this is not certain. The trees were some twenty-five feet 

 in height, but they did not look at all happy. This species is found in 

 good condition in the northern part of the State, but is not to be 

 recommended for street work, because, of all the maples, it is perhaps 

 the least tolerant of street conditions. 



The maples are one of the families of fine trees which, in the south, 

 come under the ban of the eastern tourist. His rule in some parts of 

 southern California is so complete that his edict that "he did not come 

 to see bare branches, but sunshine, verdure and flowers," has become 



