age. Fig. 26.

Range: Eastern United States.

Soil and location: Moist and deep soil, and cool, shady positions.

Enemies: Subject to drouth, especially in cities. Is attacked by the
_sugar maple borer_ and the _maple phenacoccus_, a sucking insect.

Value for planting: Its rich and yellow color in the fall, and the fine
spread of its crown make it a desirable tree for the lawn,
especially in the country.

Commercial value: Its wood is hard and takes a good polish; used for
interior finish and furniture. The tree is also the source of maple
sugar. Fig. 27.

Other characters: The _bark_ is smooth in young trees and in old trees
it shags in large plates. The _flowers_ appear in the early part of
April.

Other common names: The sugar maple is sometimes called _rock maple_ or
_hard maple_.


SILVER MAPLE (_Acer saccharinum_)

Distinguishing characters: The tips of the *twigs curve upwards* (Fig.
28), the bark is scaly, and the leaves are very deeply cleft and are
silvery on the under side.