MAPLE, a genus (Ater) of trees, together with a few shrubs of the family Aceracece. The species, of which there are about 100, are indigenous to the north temperate zone, being best represented in China, Japan, United States and Canada. They are characterized by op posite, palmate or lobed, exstipulate leaves; small polygamo-dicecious flowers in axillary co rymbs or racemes ; and compound, one- or two seeded, long-winged nuts (samaras). The maples constitute one of the most widely useful genera of trees, being extensively employed for ornamental and street planting and for wind breaks, while the wood serves well for tool handles, furniture, flooring and many other purposes. As fuel, they are especially valuable, being considered superior to almost all other woods except hickory. Because of their popu larity for ornamental planting a great number of horticultural varieties have been produced, especially in Japan, and nearly all, but particu larly the Japanese and American species and varieties, are noted for their brilliant autumnal colorings, which in the various shades of yel low and red are unequaled by any other group of northern trees. The flowers are rich in nectar and are sought by bees. Most of the species thrive best upon rich moist land suitable for agricultural purposes and are considered an indication of the type of soil. A few grow in wet land, and many upon mountain sides. They are readily propagated by means of seeds which, in the case of the early maturing kinds, should be sown as soon as ripe, the later ones in autumn or spring, being stratified in sand during the winter. Some choice varieties are grafted or budded and others may be increased by cuttings and, layers.
In America, the best known, most widely planted and otherwise most important species is probably the rock or sugar maple (A. sac charum), a stately round-headed, gray-barked tree, often attaining heights of 120 feet. It is especially characteristic of rich woods from Maine to Michigan and southward in the moun tains to Georgia, everywhere being noted for the rich colors of its leaves in autumn. Be sides great popularity for all the purposes men tioned above, some of the trees are highly prized for their wavy-grained wood, which, being of satiny appearance and capable of high polish, is used under the name of curly maple often as veneers for choice furniture. It is
further the most important of the species which yield a saccharine sap, and is a chief source of maple syrup and sugar, to obtain which the trees are ((tapped," the sap caught in buckets and evaporated. A yield of three pounds per tree annually is considered very profitable; six pounds or even more is often obtained from many specimens whose sap is either especially abundant or particularly rich in sugar. If prop erly done no injury results to the trees. A form of the sugar maple, the black maple (A. socchorinum var. nigrum), so called from its very dark bark, is considered a distinct species (A. nigrum) by some botanists. It has the same range and habitats as the preceding and in nearly every respect the same uses, including sugar production. This form is more abundant than the preceding in the Central States.
The silver maple (A. soccharinum) is a widely spreading tree which attains a height of 120 feet throughout the same range as the above species. Being very ornamental in form and particularly also because of its graceful leaves, which are silvery white beneath, this tree is widely planted where rapid growth and quick effects are desired. Its chief fault is its brit tleness; it quickly succumbs to high winds. It will succeed upon a wide variety of soils. Its sap, though rather sweet, is less useful for sugar than the above-mentioned species.
The red, scarlet or swamp maple (A. ru brum) attains heights similar to the above, has about the same range, but is most frequently found in wet ground. It is named from the brilliant color of its flowers, which are borne profusely in early spring before the leaves ap pear and from its red fruits which appear soon after. Being of wood habit it is widely planted for ornamental purposes upon all kinds of soils. Its wood is used for most of the purposes enumerated above.