FOREST TREES 



flood of light without being in danger 

 of presenting a clotted appearance. 

 The petioles, or little leaf-stems, as- 

 sume a more horizontal position than 

 they do in the red maple, and the twigs 

 are usually shorter, which allows a 

 denser richness in the foliage, which 

 every breeze plays upon and ruffles as 

 it passes by. 



The red maple has a more airy look. 

 This is due partly to the character 

 of the leaf, but primarily to that of 

 the branchwork. The main branches 

 spread out in easy, flowing lines, much 

 as they do in the sugar maple; but 

 they assume an ampler range, and the 

 last divisions, the twigs, take on de- 

 cided curves, rising to right and left. 

 On these the leaves multiply, each leaf 

 poised lightly upon its curved petiole. 

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