When most people think of maple trees, the first image that comes to mind is that of the maple leaf, like the leaf on the Canadian flag. Maple leaves have been known as a symbol of strength, and are prominently used throughout various cultures of the entire world, including the dominant symbol as shown here on the Canadian flag Our professional arborists are trained and equipped to provide maple tree pruning, fertilization, and treatment services to help keep your maple trees strong and healthy. At Hendricksen Tree Care, we can help take care of all types of maples trees throughout the Chicago area with our tree care services. Many homes and commercial properties throughout Chicago and its suburbs feature maple trees, and like other types of trees, maples need the proper care to live a long, healthy life. In this guide, we will take an in-depth look into the characteristics of native maple tree species, discuss the most common threats to maple trees, and highlight some effective maple tree care tips. There are also thousands of maple cultivars that have been cultivated through selective breeding to have some of the maple’s most desirable characteristics. Their height as well as their dense and expansive root systems require plenty of space to grow without affecting surrounding plants. Maple trees are sturdy, adaptable plants that typically grow between 40 and 60 feet tall. The different species of maple trees are mostly deciduous plants that typically show green three, five, or seven lobed leaves in the spring and summer that turn all shades of red, yellow and orange in the fall. Several different types of maples are native to the Chicago area. There are 128 known species of maple trees ( Acer sp.), most of which can be found in Asia, as well as Europe, Africa, and North America in the Northern Hemisphere. Maple trees are easily recognized by their lobed leaves and their samaras that contain their seeds, commonly known as “helicopters.” They are planted primarily as ornamental trees on residential and commercial properties because they are easy to transplant, grow rather quickly, and have brilliant fall colors. This week, we return to our series about the native trees of the Chicago area by focusing on a very common and recognizable type of tree, the maple. Easily recognizable by the kaleidoscope of red, orange, and yellow colors identified during the Autumn season in the Chicago, IL area National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-‐4901 USA.One of the most common and well-known trees in Illinois is the Maple Tree. Sources and Additional Information: Distribution of sugar maple. To a botanist anything that contains seeds is a fruit, but to others those may be just “spinners.” Remember, those are the fruits! Some people may not think of maple “samaras” as fruits but they are the fruits of maple trees. Pollen release is easy to see-look on the ground for yellow powder. Take field glasses (binoculars) out with you so you can see the flowers: sugar maple flowers are green, while red maple flowers are dark red, with yellow stamens. Tips on Observing Maples: The most challenging aspect of observing maple phenology is that leaves and flowers can be high up in the tree. Bark on older trees is often broken into scales. Samaras of sugar maple trees are green in the spring, and turn yellowish green or light brown in autumn, when they fall to the ground just before leaf fall.īark: Young sugar maples have smooth, light gray bark. Paul Wray, Iowa State University, įruit: The fruits of maple trees are double samaras (winged seeds), but you may know them as “spinners” or “helicopters,” due to their characteristic descent to the ground. Sugar maple leaves turn various shades of scarlet, orange and yellow in autumn.įlowers: Small, hanging clusters of greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring, emerging just before the leaves. The edges of red maple’s leaves are more toothed, while sugar maple’s leaves are smoother. It’s easy to confuse red maple and sugar maple. ![]() ![]() ![]() The two lobes at the base of the leaf are smaller than the other three. Leaves: Maple trees have palmate leaves, which mean their leaves resemble the shape of a hand with five lobes that extend in a finger-like fashion from a central point, similar to palm of your hand. Sugar maple is also a valuable hardwood for a variety of products from flooring to cabinets. Trees are tapped for syrup in late winter/early spring throughout New England. Sugar maple is the primary source for maple sugar and syrup. It is native to the US, and found throughout the eastern states. Sugar maple is a deciduous tree that can grow to a height of 50 to 130 feet. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Sugar Maple (Rock Maple, Hard Maple) Fact Sheet USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A.
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