Maple Tree Family Identification Horticulture I CP Mr. Traeger
Red Maple Acer rubrum
Red Maple Height 59’ to 89’. Crown spread 39’. Largest living Red Maple, located near Armada, Michigan, 125 ft., trunk diameter 16.2 ft. Planted for brilliant red fall foliage.
Canadian Flag
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum
Height: 82’ to 112’ Tallest recorded at 148’. Shade tolerant tree. 5 Lobed Leaf. Planted for brilliant yellow and orange colors in the fall. Trees important for maple syrup, bowling pins, bowling alley floors & NBA floors. Important to the maple syrup industry.
Norway Maple Acer platanoides
Height: 66’ to 98’ tall Diameter: up to 4’ 11’’ 5 lobed leaf Planted in cities, parks and yards to replace Sugar Maples. More tolerant of pollution. Found through out the United States.
Silver Maple Acer saccharinum
Height: 50’ to 80’ rare tree may reach 115’ Crown Spread: 35’ to 50’ Grows best near water. Freeman Maple: Silver Maple can hybridize with Red Maple. Produces a sweet sap, but not used commercially because of low sugar content. Freeman Maple Leaf Acer x freemannii
Box Elder Acer negundo
Height: 33’ to 82’ Diameter: 12” to 20” Fast growing, short lived tree. Prefers bright sunlight. Grows in hedges.
Striped Maple Acer pensylvanicum
Height: 15’ to 30’ Diameter: 10” Young bark striped green and white. Grown for its ornamental bark. Sap causes a mild form of dermatitis milder than Poison Ivy. Leaves once used as toilet paper by woodsman.
Bigtooth Maple Acer grandidentatum
Height: 30’ to 48’ Diameter: 9” to 20” Ornamental Tree for its drought tolerance & ability to grow in rocky landscapes. Closely related to the sugar maple. Other names: Canyon Maple and Lost Maple.
Japanese Maple Acer palmatum
Height: 20’ to 30’, rarely up to 52’. Named for the palm shaped leaves. Ornamental: used for borders, paths or focal points. Grown in a tree or shrub form. Cultivars with different leaf shapes, sizes and colors.
Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 112+ year old Japanese Maple Bonsai, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.