THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 87 



sugar, which is of superior whiteness and flavor to 

 that of the Sugar Maple; but twice the quantity of 

 sap is required to give an equal quantity of sugar. 



3. Sugar Maple. (A. -saccharinum, Wang.) — 

 This is found from Canada to Georgia, and is the 

 most interesting and valuable of our Maples. It has 

 a height of 50 to 80 feet, a diameter of 2 to 3, and 

 a very symmetrical oval top of compact branches, 

 which make it one of the most desirable trees for 

 streets and avenues. It is very abundant in our 

 mountains, and occurs also in the Middle and Lower 

 Districts. The wood is white when freshly cut, but 

 becomes of a faint rosy hue on exposure. It has a 

 fine close grain, takes a fine polish, and is heavy and 

 strong. It is not as durable as Oak, and is not much 

 used in Civil or Naval Architecture. When well 

 seasoned, it serves for axles and spokes of wheels, 

 chairs, &c. This tree produces a curled variety of 

 wood like the Red Maple. But there is yet another 

 and more beautiful variety, called Bird's Eye, which 

 is much used for ornamental wood work. The wood 

 makes excellent fuel. The ashes abound in alkali, 

 and they furnish the largest part of the potash 

 shipped from Northern ports. 



It is the production of sugar from the sap of this 

 tree, which gives it its highest value. In some of 

 the Northern States, particularly in Vermont, it is 

 made to an extent that constitutes them almost as 

 much a sugar producing country as Louisiana. In 

 our Mountains, which are too remote from a market 



