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SUGAR MAPLE (Acer saccharum)
BLACK MAPLE (Acer nigrum)
Other names: hard maple, rock maple, maple

VERY GOOD

These hard maples are found from Minnesota and Iowa to the New England states. They reach an age of up to 400 years. These are the "best" of the maple family in terms of bearing trees. 

In ideal conditions the blaze will heal quickly, often before decay sets in.. There are no reports at this time (1972) of the recovery rate or other information concerning these trees as live original bearing trees. A decaying stump usually has the bark gone and the wood turns black. The stumps do not decay uniformly but do leave a distinct stump hole. 

Keep the blaze as short and narrow as possible, smooth at the edges and smoothly drained. Paint thoroughly.