Identifying characteristics:
The sugar maple is a long-lived, 60- to 80-foot tall tree with a
narrow, rounded, dense crown and a deep, wide-spreading root system. This
species often interbreeds with the black maple (A. nigrum). The simple,
opposite leaves are usually 5-lobed,
with 1 or 2 pairs of sharp teeth per lobe. The upper surface is a shiny
yellowish-green, the lower surface paler and either hairless or with appressed
hairs. This species has the reputation of having the best fall colors of
all North American trees-yellow, bright red or orange. The small, sometimes
bisexual flowers are produced
in drooping tassels on slender, hairy stalks early in spring, before the
leaves appear. The fruit is a 2-winged
fruit (samara) with slightly divergent, heavily-veined wings and plump seed
cases. Both wings (keys) are usually shed as a unit in October. Buds
are long, pointed and reddish-brown, with 4 to 8 pairs of faintly hairy,
overlapping scales. Bark is variable
in this species. It is usually thin, smooth and gray on young trees, becoming
thicker, darker and deeply furrowed into vertical, occasionally scaly ridges.
Similar species:
Ecology:
Distribution: This species is a main component of the eastern deciduous
forests. It is native from eastern Canada to Missouri and Tennessee. It
is Canada's national tree and is featured on their flag. The sugar maple
grows in the eastern part of Iowa, and trees from midwestern origin are
usually more successful in this region.
Habitat: Although they will grow in a variety of soils, sugar maples prefer deep, rich, well-drained, moderately moist soils. Young trees tolerate heavy browsing and shaded conditions, growing rapidly for the first 35 to 40 years. Mature trees fill in openings in the canopy and reach a maximum height at 125 to 150 years old. This species does not grow well if the roots are restricted in a container. They are not tolerant of pollution, and are susceptible to salt damage. Young trees are susceptible to sun scald, especially in central Iowa. Prolonged drought can cause a decline in tree health, resulting in susceptibility to leaf scorch, Verticillium wilt and dieback.
Uses:
Wood: The sugar maple is an important timber tree, producing very
hard, strong, close-grained, durable wood that is shock-resistant
and takes a beautiful polish. It is used for furniture, cabinets, flooring,
veneer, toys, plywood, cutting blocks and musical instruments. This species
is the source of "curly maple" and "bird's eye" wood
used for the backs of violins and gunstocks because of the attractive, striped
pattern. This species is commercially grown as a source of maple syrup.
32 gallons of sap are required to produce 1 gallon of syrup, with each tree
providing between 5 and 40 gallons of sap per year. Maple syrup, like honey,
contains bone-building phosphates that aid calcium retention in the body.
Wildlife: The sugar maple is important to wildlife. The seeds, buds, twigs, bark and flowers provide food for a variety of birds and animals. Chipmunks, squirrels and other small mammals store caches of the seeds for winter. Deer browse the twigs, buds and leaves. Porcupines and squirrels eat the twigs and often girdle the trees by eating the bark.
Horticulture: This species is an important large, ornamental shade tree used in areas where the soil is well-drained and fertile. 'Moraine' is a fast-growing, conical cultivar resistant to leaf scorch and frost cracking. 'Wright Brothers' is hardy to minus 25 degrees F, and is also resistant to leaf scorch and frost cracking. 'Newton Sentry' is a cultivar with a columnar habit, more suited to smaller sites.
