ACERACEAE 
Norway Maple 
Acer platanoides L. 
HABIT.—A tall, handsome tree, with a height of 40-60 feet, 
and a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet, having a round, spreading 
crown of stout branches, resembling A. saccharum. ‘Twigs 
coarse. 
LEAVES.—Opposite, simple, 5-7 inches broad, and almost 
as long; thin; 5-7-lobed at maturity, lobes remotely coarse- 
toothed with the teeth drawn out into filamentous points, sepa- 
rated by rounded, scallop-like sinuses; glabrous, bright green 
both sides, turning pale yellow in autumn; petioles long, slender, 
exuding a milky juice when cut. 
FLOWERS.—May-June, before or with the leaves; dioec- 
ious; large, yellow-green, in erect, short, flat racemes; sepals 5; 
petals 5; stamens 8. 
'FRUIT.—Ripens in autumn and germinates the following 
spring; pendent on long stalks; large, glabrous, paired samaras, 
with wings 2 inches long, diverging by nearly 180°. 
WINTER-BUDS.—Yellow-green, red or dull red-brown; 
terminal bud about % inch long, broad, short-stalked, with bud- 
scales strongly keeled; lateral buds small, appressed; buds exud- 
ing a milky juice when cut. 
BARK.—Twigs lustrous, light brown to greenish; trunk 
dark gray, becoming closely fissured, not scaly. 
WOOD.—Moderately heavy, hard, close-grained, whitish or 
brownish, with white sapwood. 
NOTES.—Exotic from Europe. Extensively planted in 
cities for its abundant shade. The roots strike deep and spread 
laterally, enabling the tree to hold its own in a city environment. 
It holds its leaves two weeks longer in autumn than do our 
native maples. A rapid grower. 
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