You may have seen a maple leaf on the Canadian flag and most of you have probably tasted maple syrup, therefore you can already comprehend the cultural and economic significance of this tree.Maple is another term from the genus Acer that has essentially 132 species and can be found on the Asian, European, and American continents. Out of these 132 species some maple species from the Mediterranean and Southern Asia can be contemplated as evergreen.Maple trees have a wide geographical range covering the regions of North America, Asia, and Europe, and are part of the deciduous forest biome. The seeds of maples can be found between summer and autumn. Widely grown to serve various purposes, this tree comes in different sizes and each has prominent features. They enhance the beauty of the landscape as their leaves turn bright yellow, orange, and red under the full sun. They are often planted as ornamental plants such as the Japanese maple and can be found in gardens, as some of them require more space such as the Sycamore maple. They provide shading and high-end wood that goes into making plenty of things.Evergreen maple trees can be exceptionally rare such as the Acer laurinum, while the deciduous variety can be found in abundance. If you are eager to learn more about the different types of maple species and more interesting facts then keep reading this article. Many intriguing pieces of information are stated below.Types Of Maple TreesIf you think that all maple trees are the same then you may be wrong as Maple or Acer is a genus that has numerous species. The Sycamore maple can be contemplated as one of the most widespread tree species in Europe. Other types of maple trees may include sugar maple, red maple, Amur maple, hedge maple, Japanese maple, silver maple, Hornbeam maple, Norway maple, paperbark maple, and creek maple. These trees vary from each other not only based on their size but also their leaf shape. A more elaborate description of them can be found below.The red maple or Acer rubrum tree is also known as swamp maple, soft maple, or water maple and it is a familiar species that can be found in North America. This maple tree can grow as tall as 100 ft (30 m). Similar to most maple trees, red maple trees are said to have the best reddish kind of leafage that can be observed during autumn.The red maple tree or the Sycamore maple tree is a common phenomenon, except in Europe. Identified for its broad leaves, it can grow as tall as 66-115 ft (20–35 m). This maple bark is principally grey and smooth in younger trees however in mature trees the bark tends to become rough and often cracks.The hedge maple is an aboriginal species of Europe and Southern Asia. This tree species can reach a height of 49–82 ft (15–25 m) and is monoecious.The Norway maple is a native European and West Asian species but it was introduced in North America later as a shade tree. This maple tree can live as long as 250 years and one of its notable features is its flowers which appear in corymbs and occur during early spring.The paperbark maple tree is a medium-sized Central Chinese species and it is identified for its paper-like layers of bark.Besides these species of maple, we should of course mention the sugar maple that is an integral part of Canadian life. Recognized as the main source of maple syrup it is often referred to as hard maple, sweet maple, or rock maple. Canada is also home to nine other species of maple trees.Maple Tree LeavesMaple tree leaves also differ from each other. The very beautiful autumn foliage is so mesmerizing to look at. To identify a maple tree one needs to be well acquainted with its leaves, which first appear in spring. Thus we have described different types of maple tree leaves that will enable you to recognize the particular type of tree.Did you know that the maple leaf is deemed the national symbol of Canada? If not then you will be amazed by more maple leaves facts stated below.Initially, maple trees have green leaves however during autumn, the color changes from green to various colors including bright red, yellow, or orange. For example, the silver maple tree has a unique type of leaves which is green on the top while the bottom is silvery-white. Now we can comprehend how it got its name. The silver maple tree leaves turn pale yellow or sometimes it can even develop bright yellow, red, or orange foliage.Japanese maple trees, which are also called palmate maple, come in various shapes and colors. The leaves of Japanese maple trees are usually 1.5-4.7 in (4-12 cm) and are palmately lobed. Japanese maple further has three recognized subspecies, on which the lobes can vary and the color ranges from yellow to reddish to orange in autumn.Paperbark maple leaves are imparipinnate and have three parts. A leaf has three leaflets and usually has a length of 1.1-3.9 in (3-10 cm) and a breadth of 0.7-2.3 in (2-6 cm). The upper side and underside of the leaves have different colors as the upper side is dark green while the underside is blue-green.The sugar maple leaf has five lobes that are paired oppositely. The basal lobes are smaller than the upper lobes and have round notches. It is commonly observed in sugar maple trees that they may not be uniformly colored in autumn as the color varies from bright yellow to bright reddish or orange sometimes.The Amur maple is named after the Amur river valley and has deeply palmate leaves that are coarse and irregular. The fiery red foliage of the Amur maple during fall is very distinguishing.Choosing A Maple TreeBefore getting a maple tree it is important to know a few things about it that will guide you to choose the right kind of tree. You should consider what purpose the maple tree will serve. Maple trees can have various significance, for example, for ornamental purposes or economic purposes. The large shrub that is mostly planted for its extraordinary foliage during autumn also provides shade and some of them bear beautiful flowers.The size of maple trees can range from small to large so depends on the space in which it is planted. Maple tree species like paperbark and Japanese maples require less space, even mini maples are available for bonsai. This is particularly good if the tree is being planted in a home with a small garden. The vibrant color during fall is something to look forward to.If trees are being planted near roads or streets, then durable and adaptive species like the Norway maple are appropriate. The Norway maple tree can tolerate hot and humid conditions even drought. They even provide shade and enhance the beauty of the landscapes.Sugar maples for their high sugar content are known to produce the best maple syrup. They can live for 200 years and are very adaptive. However, these trees require more space. Another fundamental species is the red maple tree that produces one of the most outstanding fiery red foliage and is mostly planted outdoors. These trees are also planted for their wood as maple wood is used to make furniture, cabinets, or maple wood flooring as maple wood is extensively durable and strong. Thus before planting a maple tree learn about their needs and choose the appropriate species.Pests And DiseasesPlants and trees require maintenance too. Although most trees are adaptable and can grow in difficult conditions, they can still be vulnerable to many pests and potential diseases. These can affect the growth and longevity of maple trees. However, there are solutions to such problems too such as pruning.Thus before planting a tree it is crucial to check the soil, temperature, and other conditions. Primarily fungi, viruses, weather conditions, and mold are responsible for most of the common problems. Verticillium wilt, lichen, leaf scorch, and tar spot are some of the common diseases that can be observed in these trees.In most circumstances, it is the leaves that get affected first, therefore a careful inspection of the leaf is required. If the leaves have a scorched or brownish appearance it can be a sign of maple wilt. It begins from the roots and gradually spreads to the branches. It is caused due to the presence of Verticillium dahlia in the soil.Another disease that is caused by fungi is Anthracnose where the leaves formulate discoloration near the vein, have brown spots, and curl up. Kabatiella and Discula are the main causes, especially during the rainy season. It is airborne and can spread to other trees rapidly.Tar spot is another common happening that is noticed by the occurrence of tar-like black spots that cover the leaves. It is caused by Rhytisma and is comparatively harmless. Lichen is a different kind of disease caused by the symbiotic relationship between fungi and cyanobacteria. It is the formation of thick crust on the bark and does not cause any harm.Another occurrence of powdery substance on green leaves of the maple tree is called powdery mildew. Similar to lichen it is harmless. As discussed, there are a few diseases that are threatening and can spread, while others may not cause any effect. Pruning your maple tree can help to some extent.Sugar Maple Trees Vs. Red Maple TreesThe two most widespread variety of maple tree is the sugar maple tree and the red maple tree. Each is known for its distinctive properties, and there are some similarities and dissimilarities that we are going to learn below.The sugar maple has wide economic significance as it is the main source of maple syrup. Although this syrup can be obtained from any maple tree, including red maples, sugar maple is the best option as it contains a high sugar content. Other varieties like the red maple do not have high sugar content.Let’s begin to look at the fundamental aspects of these trees such as the size and structure of their leaves. The sugar maple tree is approximately 82-147.6 ft (25-45 m) tall whereas the red maple tree can grow 118.1 ft (36 m) maximum. The red maple or Acer rubrum is native to the eastern forest covering the regions of Minnesota, Texas, and Florida. On the other hand, the sugar maple tree is native to the eastern region of North America including the eastern part of Canada and the northeastern part of the U.S. However, some sugar maples are found in California.The leaves of the sugar maple are not serrated while the red maple has serrated leaves. Buds of red maple are rounded, while sugar maple has pointed and sharp buds that are brown, unlike red maple. The flowers of the sugar maple are yellow and dangle while the flowers of red maple are erect and mostly red but sometimes could be yellowish.How To Identify Maple TreesDo you find it difficult to differentiate one maple tree from the other? If yes then this article can come to be useful as this passage is completely dedicated to identifying maple trees.Maple trees are primarily identified based on their leaves, bark, flowers, and fruits (known as samaras). Maple tree leaves can be compound, deeply lobed, largely, irregular edges, bi-color, or fuzzy. Maple bark can be smooth, wide, papery, narrow, or flaky depending on the species. Identifying hybrid maple trees can be tricky, but a careful study of their leaf, bark, and flowers can assist.The common maple, also known as field maple, is largely identified for its corky bark. This deciduous tree can reach a height of 49–82 ft (15–25 m) and has brown shoots. The leaves are different from other maple trees and in winter they form dark brown buds.The paperbark maple, as the name suggests, is identified by its paper-like bark and grows in moist areas. The leaves of this tree are blunt toothed and the underside is hairy.The hornbeam maple is a native Japanese maple species that has no lobes on its leaves but they do have a serrated margin. The bark of this tree can be green or greenish-grey and they are grown primarily as an ornamental plant.The leaves of silver maple have a white-silvery underside that makes identifying them very easy. The hedge maple has rounded lobed leaves while Oregon maple has the largest type of leaves that becomes golden yellow or yellow in Autumn.Norway maples have five distinct lobes and rough grey bark.
You may have seen a maple leaf on the Canadian flag and most of you have probably tasted maple syrup, therefore you can already comprehend the cultural and economic significance of this tree.
