l value: Its wood is soft, weak, and little used.

Other characters: The _bark_ is light gray, smooth at first and scaly
later on. The scales are free at each end and attached in the
center. The _flowers_ appear before the leaves in the latter part of
March or early April.

[Illustration: FIG. 27.--Tapping the Sugar Maple.]

Other common names: The silver maple is sometimes known as _soft maple_
or _white maple_.

RED MAPLE (_Acer rubrum_)

[Illustration: FIG. 28.--Terminal Twig of Silver Maple.]

Distinguishing characters: The *bark is smooth and light gray*, like
that of the beech, on the upper branches in older trees, and in
young trees over the whole trunk. Fig. 30. The buds are in clusters,
and the terminal twigs, Fig. 31, are quite red.

[Illustration: FIG. 29.--Leaf of the Silver Maple.]

Leaf: Whitish underneath with three-pointed lobes. Fig. 32.

Form and size: A medium-sized tree with a narrow, round head.

Range: Eastern North America.

Soil and location: Prefers moist places.

Enemies: Leaf blotches (_Rhytisma acerinum_) which, however, are not
very injurious.

Value for planting: Suitable as a shade tree for suburban streets. Its
rich red leaves in the fall make it attractive for the lawn.

[Illustration: FIG. 30.--Bark of the Red Maple.]

Commercial value: Its wood is heavy, close-grained, and takes a good
polish. Used for furniture and fuel.

Other characters: The _bud_ is small, round, and red. The _flowers_
appear before the leaves are out in the early part of April.

[Illustration: FIG. 31.--Twig of the Red Maple.]

[Illustration: FIG. 32.--Leaf of the Red Maple.]

Other common names: The red maple is sometimes known as _swamp maple_.

[Illustration: FIG. 33.--Twig of Norway Maple.]

Comparisons: The red maple is apt to be confused with the silver maple,
but the latter can be distinguished by its turned-up twigs and scaly
bark over the whole trunk of the tree, which presents a sharp
contrast to the straight twig and smooth bark of the red maple. The
latter has a bark similar to the beech, but its branches are
_opposite_, while those of the beech are _alternate_.

NORWAY MAPLE (_Acer platanoides_)

Distinguishing characters: The bud, Fig. 33, is *oval and reddish-brown*
in color; when taken off, a *milky juice exudes*. The bark is close.
Fig. 34

[Illustration: FIG. 34.--Bark of Norway Maple.]

Lea