46 
well in the valleys where the roots can eventually find water, and is 
probably a little more drought resistant than cottonwood. 
Boxelder is a short-lived tree, and attains no great diameter. The 
wood takes low rank for fuel and has httle other value. A straight 
trunk seldom forms, because the terminal buds generally die, leaving 
the lateral ones to continue the upward growth, so that many crooks 
are produced. Attacks by borers are frequent, and a leaf-aphis often 
spoils the appearance of the tree. This insect was common on box- 
elder over a wide range during the season of 1903. Probably it could 
be checked by spraying 1f one cared to take sufficient trouble. 
A very respectable street tree is sometimes made of the boxelder by 
a combination of good care and favorable situation, but its principal 
use should be for shelterbelts in the valleys. The rate of growth is 
rapid and the height medium. In a 27-year-old plantation in the 
Arkansas Valley near Great Bend the trees have an average diameter 
of about 7 inches and a height of 25 feet. 
While the boxelder does not ordinarily make a permanent tree on 
the upland, the rate of growth for a few years is likely to be as good 
as that in the valleys, so no distinction is made in the following table. 
Growth of upland and valley boxelder. 
Time = 
Average | a Number 
= - | Average | diameter} ATS © | of trees 
Place. How standing. Age. F grow linch ae 
height. Dregsts So Aientases TEAS 
tei: breasthigh. ue 
| 
| Years Feet. Inches. ears) 
Stockton sKians acre sae eee GrOVG Pepe e ee | 9 22 5. 2 ae 19 
ASham dt (Kia nSe ees cee eee ee 12 Ober aer oe 10 22 4.6 252 20 
KSINSL Gy; CANS Soe ce eee ae ROWe: sere 12 16 5.4 Zan 20 
St-ohn, Kans © oes saeco _GLOVE Geserene | 12 20 6.5 1.8 14 
Ava GLOSS KMS ee eee eee ey joe OSA eae | 15 15 4.8 351 10 
Brat wKanses> oe eae ee one doles Aeeet | 15 18 5.1 | 9.9 26 
GreensburcKansra: soe eee | (ROWenee Sees hee lO 18 oul DOB! 20 
Gaylord Shans ac pone ee eer MiG@rOVieeer acess ee AT] 25 6.3 al 20 
~ 
SILVER MAPLE. 
In congenial situations the silver maple is one of the most rapid- 
growing trees, but it is not so hardy as either cottonwood or boxelder, 
and so has a more restricted range. The wood has no especial value, 
and the chief use of the tree is for ornamental and shelterbelt plant- 
ing. It is decidedly brittle, and large branches are often broken off 
in heavy windstorms. Silver maple can be recommended only for 
valley planting, where the roots will eventually go down to water. 
In such places it will quickly produce shade and shelter; the average 
growth is nearly one-half inch in diameter yearly. 
The measurements which follow were made in lowland or watered 
situations. 
[Cir. 161.] 
ete 
