10 
Bulletin 96. 
portions of the Northeastern States. The maple grove has always been a 
favorite place wherever it exists, for a local celebration, the family picnic or 
a quiet stroll. And surely it is difficult to find a pleasanter spot, whether 
it be in the early spring when the sugar season is on, during the heat of 
summer, shut off by the dense foliage, or when the glorious tints of autumn 
are glowing in unrivaled shades of yellow and crimson from the dying leaves. 
Being a rather slow growing tree, it is also enduring when favorably 
situated. In its typical form it is a round or oval headed tree if grown in 
sufficient room, but specimens occur which possess a tendency to stretch 
upward, like the one shown in the picture. The foliage of the sugar maple 
is usually quite dense and clean, making it one of the most desirable trees 
where strong shade and freedom from litter are wanted. 
Its wood is hard, strong and of the highest value for fuel. “Curly” 
and “birdseye” maple are varieties of timber obtained from this tree and 
possess a high value in cabinet work. In sections where the sugar maple 
naturally occurs, it is one of the favorite street trees and many beautiful 
avenues of this tree exist. Its hardiness, freedom from litter and its beautiful 
display of autumn tints are qualities not excelled by any other tree in the 
Northern Middle States. 
This tree sometimes suffers from sun scald where the trunk is ex¬ 
posed and in sections where there is great variation in winter tem¬ 
perature, and for this reason some protection is needed for the trunks 
especially when young. While no extensive trials have been made in grow¬ 
ing the sugar maple in Colorado, the many desirable features of this tree 
make limited plantings worth while in places where the exposure is not 
too great and where water is available for irrigation. 
The soft, or silver maple (A. Saccharinum L.) has been extensively 
planted in Northern Colorado towns as a shade and street tree. While 
many of these trees have proven satisfactory, no doubt a greater number 
have died, and the light colored foliage of those that are failing may be 
seen on all sides. This species, when growing naturally is at its best on 
the banks of streams where it is supplied with an abundance of moisture. 
The extremes of moisture that are common under irrigation, especially if 
the soil is heavy, appear to result in the death of the smaller roots; at any 
rate the lack of feeding roots on dying trees is always very noticeable and 
uncongenial soil conditions must be the cause of the trouble. 
This experience has been so universal that we do not hesitate to 
condemn the use of this tree in most sections of the state. 
The maples are propagated by seeds which may be sown in autumn 
or they may be stratified and sown in the spring. A few kinds ripen their 
seeds early in the season and these should be sown as soon as they are 
mature. 
NORWAY MAPLE. 
(Acer Platanoides L.) 
In general this tree much resembles the sugar maple, but differs in 
its lower, more rounded head and dense foliage of a dark green color. Its 
compact form, clean trunk and thick foliage possess the sturdy aspect 
of a tree fostered in a rugged country and under the ocean’s breath. 
In addition to these characters the Norway maple holds its foliage later 
than any other maple, the leaves turning a bright yellow before falling. 
It has proven to be a very hardy tree and capable of making a healthy 
growth in the city of Denver. 
On account of its low, compact habit of growth, this tree is especially 
adapted for planting in door yards and parks and where dense shade is 
desired. It is also an admirable tree for streets and avenues. Some of 
the varieties of the Norway maple make excellent specimen trees for open 
situations in parks and yards. For this purpose the purplish leaved varieties 
may be recommended. The foliage when first put out is a bright purple 
color, which changes somewhat to a greenish purple as the season advances. 
This tree is suitable for planting wherever the sugar maple is capable 
of growfing, and in many cases may prove hardier than the latter. Prop¬ 
agation—by means of seeds sown in autumn or stratified and planted in 
spring. 
