Sugar maple

Sugar Maple

The Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) is a species of maple native to the hardwood forests of eastern Canada, from Nova Scotia west through southern Quebec, and south to Georgia and Texas. It is known for its distinctive leaf shape, brilliant fall colors, and for the production of maple syrup.

Description

The Sugar Maple is a large, deciduous tree that typically grows 25–35 m (82–115 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 90 cm (35 in). The leaves are deciduous, up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long and wide, with five palmate lobes. The flowers are in corymbs of 5–10 together, yellow-green and without petals; flowering occurs in early spring before the new leaves emerge.

Uses

The Sugar Maple's sap is often used in the production of maple syrup, a popular sweetener in North America. The wood of the Sugar Maple tree is also highly valued for furniture, flooring, and for use in musical instruments.

Ecology

The Sugar Maple is an important species in the Eastern Deciduous Forest of North America. It is a dominant species in the northern part of its range, and is a key species in the late-successional forest community.

Conservation

While the Sugar Maple is not currently considered threatened, it is susceptible to a number of threats including acid rain, climate change, and invasive species.

See also

• Maple syrup
• Acer
• Eastern Deciduous Forest

External links

• Acer.org