MAPLES. 271 



Flowers conspicuous, white, in erect clusters terminating the 

 shoots of the season, appearing after the leaves. Fruit ripens 

 in autumn. A small tree or shrub. 



Distribution. Europe and Asia. 



Propagation. By seeds as recommended for Ash. 



Uses. Valuable for variety in ornamental planting. 

 Very hardy at the Minnesota Experiment Station. 

 Varieties. 

 Acer tartaricum ginnala. 



This has mostly 3-lobed leaves which are longer than 

 those of the species. 



Acer nog-undo. ( Negundo aceroides. ) Box Elder. 

 Ash-leaf Maple. 



Leaves opposite, pinnately compound with 3 to 5 leaflets. 

 Flowers dioecious, apetalous small, greenish, appearing jusfc 

 before or with the leaves. The seeds are oval in form, ripen 

 in autumn and hang on the trees until winter in this section. 

 Many trees bear fruits that to outward appearance contain 

 perfect seeds but which upon examination will be found to be 

 empty seed vessels. 



Distribution. One of the most widely distributed and 

 hardiest trees of North America ranging from the Valley of 

 the Saskatchewan to Florida and Texas and from Vermont to 

 the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. In the Minnesota 

 River bottoms this tree grows seventy feet high and three 

 feet in diameter, while in severe locations it becomes a low 

 bushy tree. 



Propagation. By seeds sown as soon as ripe'in the fall or 

 stratified over winter and sown in the spring. 



Properties of wood. Light, soft, close grained, but weak. 

 It is creamy white with thick hardly distinguishable sapwood. 

 Specific gravity 0.4328; weight of a cubic foot 26.97 pounds. 



Uses. The Box Elder is one of the hardiest of trees and 

 is highly esteemed for street and lawn planting and for wind 

 breaks in severe locations. It has, however, been too often 

 planted where the White Elm or Green Ash should have been 

 used. The wood makes good fuel; it is sometimes used for 

 interor finishing, woodenware, paper pulp, etc. Maple sugar 



