1 04 Common Trees 



THE MAPLES 



NO TREES are better known or more widely useful than 

 the maples, of which there are 70 different kinds in the 

 World. They are abundant in China and Japan, common 

 in Europe, widely distributed throughout North America. 

 Of the 13 maples found in North America, 9 occur east of 

 the Rocky Mountains. In New York there are 6 native 

 maples. They are the Sugar Maple, Silver Maple, Red Ma- 

 ple, Mountain Maple, Striped Maple, and Ash-leaved Ma- 

 ple. Two European maples, the Norway Maple and Syca- 

 more Maple, have been planted widely for ornamental pur- 

 poses in this State. 



No New York tree group shows such a wide variation 

 in their leaves, twigs, flowers, fruit and other organs as do 

 the maples. Most of them have simple leaves, but one in 

 this State has compound leaves. The leaves range from large 

 to small, and from smooth to hairy. The twigs have colors 

 from green to brown and red. The flowers of the maples 

 may occur in small lateral clusters, in long terminal racemes, 

 or in drooping clusters. Some appear before the leaves (Red 

 Maple, Silver Maple) , others with the leaves (Sugar Maple, 

 Ash-leaved Maple) , and still others after the leaves (Striped 

 Maple, Mountain Maple) . The fruit also varies widely in 

 size, divergence of the wings, and the arrangements in clus- 

 ters. Some maples mature their fruit in early summer (Red 

 Maple and Silver Maple) . Their seeds will germinate the 

 same year they are produced. Other maples mature their 

 fruit in late summer and early autumn. The seeds of these 

 lay over until the next year before germinating. The ma- 

 ples also show wide preferences for places to grow. The 

 Red Maple prefers wet situations, others choose moist sites, 

 while the Mountain Maple is usually found in rock situa- 

 tions. 



The sign of the maples is the typical winged seed which 

 occurs in pairs, and forms the well-known maple key, which 

 is an unfailing distinguishing characteristic. In summer the 

 leaves, which always occur opposite each other, are a helpful 

 means of identification. 



The maples are among the most widely distributed and 

 most useful trees in New York. They occur in all parts 

 of the State, and yield many valuable products that we use 

 in our everyday life. 



