Part 50

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common in shaded ravines and rich slopes in the mountainous parts of the State, especially in Webster, Randolph, Upshur, Pocahontas and Nicholas counties.

=Habitat=.—Thrives best in rich soil of rocky or sandy woods.

=Notes=.—This small maple is also called Moosewood and Goosefoot Maple, the latter name referring to the goosefoot shape of the leaf. It is not a commercially valuable species, but always attracts attention whether growing in its shady mountain habitat or on the lawn.

MOUNTAIN MAPLE

=Acer spicatum=, Lam.

=Form=.—A small tree or shrub sometimes reaching a height of 20-25 feet and a diameter of 6-10 inches.

=Leaves=.—Opposite, simple, 4-5 inches long, 3-lobed, coarsely serrate, the lobes taper-pointed, glabrous and dark green above, somewhat downy beneath, petioles long and slender.

=Flowers=.—May-June; polygamo-monoecious; small, yellow-green, arranged in upright, dense, somewhat compound racemes.

=Fruit=.—Early autumn; small, paired samaras, red, turning brown and drooping when mature, in racemose clusters.

=Bark=.—Nearly smooth, light brown, thin; twigs reddish, slightly hairy.

=Wood=.—Light, soft, close-grained, light brown, with thick sapwood.

=Range=.—Newfoundland and Labrador, south to Georgia and west to Minnesota.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common in mountainous sections and sometimes occurring at low elevations adjacent to the mountains. Found growing from elevation 850 feet, in Monongalia County, to elevation 4,800 feet, in Pendleton County.

=Habitat=.—Damp mountain forests, along streams and on rocky slopes; thrives in the shade of other trees.

=Notes=.—The Mountain Maple is often seen fruiting when only 4 or 5 feet high, but it frequently reaches tree size in favorable locations. The wood is not found on the market. This species is one of the most ornamental of the maples and should be planted more generally. The erect flower spikes, small red fruits, reddish twigs, and coarse-toothed leaves are characters that distinguish it from other maples.

SUGAR MAPLE

=Acer saccharum=, Marsh.

=Form=.—Height 60-100 feet, diameter 3-5 feet; trunk of trees in close stands long, clear and straight; crown conical or round-topped, with many ascending and horizontal branches.

=Leaves=.—Opposite, simple, 3-5 inches long, 5-lobed with rounded sinuses and sparingly sinuate-toothed margins; smooth and dark green above, paler and somewhat downy on the veins beneath.

=Flowers=.—April-May; polygamo-monoecious or dioecious; both kinds of flowers on thread-like, hairy pedicels in drooping corymbs; greenish yellow.

=Fruit=.—Matures in early autumn; clustered groups of paired samaras, glabrous, with slightly diverging wings about 1 inch long.

=Bark=.—Deeply fissured and with prominent dark gray, flaky ridges.

=Wood=.—Heavy, hard, strong, close-grained, durable, light brown to reddish.

=Range=.—Newfoundland to Florida and Texas.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Found in nearly all parts of the State; most abundant on upland flats and in rich coves along the Alleghanies from Preston County through Tucker, Barbour, Randolph, Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Monroe; common in the high hilly sections lying west of the mountains, rare in the Eastern Panhandle.

=Habitat=.—Moist, rich soils of river valleys, coves, and high flats and rocky loams of hillsides.

=Notes=.—The Sugar, or Rock Maple is one of our best known and most valuable trees. Its timber is becoming more highly prized as other species are disappearing. Interior finish, furniture, shoe-lasts and cross-ties are among the common uses of this wood. It is the principal species from which maple syrup and sugar are made, and one of the very best trees for ornamental planting.

BLACK SUGAR MAPLE