Sugar maple

Maple syrup - Photo by stevecoutts

Sugar maple is a forest tree originating from North America. The trees are famous for their bright colors during autumn.

Sugar maple (or Canadian maple) is used to produce maple syrup, which is made of the sap of the tree. Maple syrup is often used on pancakes. The sap of the tree can also be used to produce maple sugar. The wood of the tree is very hard and used for example to produce pool cues and musical instruments.

The sugar maple is an important tree in Canada. The Canadian flag has in the middle a stylized red sugar maple leaf.

Names

Scientific
   Acer saccharum
English
   Canadian maple
   Sugar maple
Dutch
   Suikeresdoorn
Spanish
   Arce azucarero
French
   Érable à sucre
German
   Zucker-Ahorn

Taxonomy

Genus
   Acer
Family
   Sapindaceae
Order
   Sapindales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

The sugar maple originates from North America.

Distribution:

Its main distribution is in Canada and USA.

Evergreen or Deciduous:

It’s a deciduous tree. Before dropping the leaves in autumn they have very bright colors.

Plant:

Sugar maple is a large hardwood tree.

Leaves:

Leaves can be upto 20 centimeters long and have 5 lobes. In autumn the green leaves change color and can change from bright yellow to orange and fluorescent red-orange.

Fruits:

The fruit of the tree has two-winged seeds. The round seeds have a diameter of 7 to 10 mm. The wings are 2 to 3 long.

Climate and weather:

It’s a temperate tree which grows mainly in the north east of the USA and in Canada.

Height:

Sugar maple trees can be 25 to 35 meters tall.

Propagation:

Trees can be grown from seeds which fall from the tree in autumn and are viable for just a few days.

Harvesting:

The sap is harvested by drilling a hole in the tree and collecting the sap which drips out.

Uses:

Sap of the tree is used to produce maple syrup or maple sugar. Wood of the tree is used to produce pool cues, musical instruments and other products. The trees are also grown as ornamentals because of their beautiful colors in autumn.

Proverbs and Quotes

They throw stones at the walnut trees, but not at the maple. (Greek proverb)

Crop categories

Ornamental plants
Sugar crops
Timber

Pictures