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what is a swamp maple tree

by Emerson Nader Published 4 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Acer rubrum, the red maple, also known as swamp maple, water maple or soft maple, is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. The U.S. Forest service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America.

What does swamp maple mean?

Small Acer rubrum, the red maple, also known as swamp, water or soft maple, is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. The U.S. Forest service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America.

What is the maple tree's natural habitat?

What Is the Habitat of a Maple Tree? Sugar Maple. Sugar maples grow throughout much of the eastern United States where they are restricted to regions with cool, moist climates (see references 1). Black Maple. ... Red Maple. ... Silver Maple. ... Striped Maple. ... Bigleaf Maple. ...

What maple tree produces the best maple syrup?

Which 5 Maple Trees Are Best For Syrup?

  • Boxelder Maple Tree. Research from Saint John’s University found that boxelder maples actually have a higher sugar content than even sugar maples do, at 2.59% average sugar concentration versus a ...
  • Red Maple Tree. ...
  • Silver Maple Tree. ...
  • Black Maple Tree. ...
  • Sugar Maple Trees Are Best For Syrup. ...

How to identify maple tree diseases?

What Are the Signs of an Unhealthy Maple?

  • Foliage on Maple Tree Branches Dying. Foliage is often one of the first indicators that something is wrong with a maple. ...
  • Signs on Bark and Branches. Damaged bark and branches in the form of discoloration and legions is not normal for maples. ...
  • Recognizing Disease in Growth Progress. ...
  • Fungal Fruiting Bodies. ...

How long do swamp maples live?

The average lifespan is only 80 to 100 years. The oldest ones may reach 200 years of age, but this is extremely rare. However, red maples can start producing seeds at just four years old.

How fast do swamp maple trees grow?

Growth Rate

This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13" to more than 24" per year.

Can you tap a swamp maple tree?

Maple trees with a 12 to 20 inch diameter cannot be tapped more than once, but trees with a 21 to 27 inch diameter can be tapped twice. Giant maple trees with over a 27 inch diameter can be tapped 3 times.Jan 27, 2015

What is the prettiest maple tree?

Most important of all, the Sugar Maple has amazing color. In the spring and summer, the leaves are a shade of rich green that develop shades of gold, orange and red during fall. This tree has three different traffic-stopping colors every spring, causing it to stand out as the prettiest tree on the block.May 30, 2019

Which maple tree stays red all year?

Many, but not all, maple trees have their characteristic red leaves year round. The Japanese maple family, which includes six sub-species, is among the most well-known of the perennially red maples.Jul 14, 2010

What is the fastest growing maple tree?

Red Maple. If you really want to speed up the process, the fastest growing maple tree is the red maple (Acer ribrum). Prized for its brilliant autumn coloration and ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats, the red maple is also known as the soft maple.Mar 25, 2021

What kind of maple trees produce syrup?

Maple syrup can be made from any species of maple tree. Trees that can be tapped include: sugar, black, red and silver maple and box elder trees. Of all the maples, the highest concentration of sugar is found in the sap of the sugar maple.

When should I tap my maple trees 2022?

Getting started
  • This is the style I've been using since I started.
  • Tuesday, January 4th appears to be the start of Maple Syrup Harvesting Season for 2022, based on the 7-day weather forecast.
  • The clear liquid in the bag is sap, collected from this PVC and plastic bag-style maple tree tap.

How old does a maple tree have to be to produce syrup?

30 to 40 years of age
Maples are usually tapped beginning at 30 to 40 years of age. Each tree can support between one and three taps, depending on its trunk diameter. The average maple tree will produce 35 to 50 litres (9.2 to 13.2 US gal) of sap per season, up to 12 litres (3.2 US gal) per day.

What is the hardiest maple tree?

Norway maple is a tough tree suitable for growing in zones 3 through 7. This is one of the most commonly planted maple trees, not only because of its hardiness, but because it withstands extreme heat, drought, and either sun or shade. Mature height is about 50 feet (15 m.). Sugar maple grows in zones 3 through 8.Dec 30, 2020

What is the reddest maple tree?

Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)

This maple tree's fall color is usually a very attractive red, although, in some years or conditions, it may instead display reddish-green or orange foliage.
Feb 25, 2022

What maple tree has purple leaves?

Crimson King Maple Tree
Regular Maples provide brilliant color in fall...but the Crimson King Maple Tree shows off its beautiful purple leaves all summer long. In fact, Crimson King Maples are known for their striking, rich purple foliage in colder climates, too, and are one of the few trees to give you excellent color in the Northern states.

Writer and hiker Mark Mikolas's guide fulfills the need for an easy resource beginners can use to recognize the trees they encounter

Writer and hiker Mark Mikolas's guide fulfills the need for an easy resource beginners can use to recognize the trees they encounter.

Red Maple

Red maple is called red because its twigs, buds, and flowers are all red, and its leaves turn a flaming red in the fall–in fact, its leaves are among the earliest in the fall to start turning.

Swamp Maple

If you see opposite branching on a tree and it is growing in a swamp, lowland, or right next to water, then you know it is a red maple. Red maple is also known as swamp maple because it can thrive in wet areas, while sugar maple cannont tolerate these conditions.

Sugar Maple

Sugar maple is the second most common tree in the Northeast. Its average life span is 300 years, and it can live up to 500 years. This means that many large mature trees populate our region. Some areas of the Northeastern forest are primarily composed of sugar maples. With the trees in close proximity, it is easy to tap them for their sap.

How To Tell Red Maple From Sugar Maple

It is not easy to tell red maple from sugar maple. As Chuck Wosster writes in Northern Woodlands magazine, “telling red maple from sugar maple can vex even seasoned botanists on occasion.” That said, there are a number of keys that help distinguish the two maples

What kind of maple trees grow in wet soil?

Some of the most common varieties include: Red maple trees have red blossoms in the spring, red fruit in summer, scarlet leaves in the fall and crimson bark and twigs in winter. Red maple trees thrive in wet soil, and are also sometimes called swamp maples. Sugar maples turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and bright red in the fall.

How big do maple trees get?

The size of the tree varies by species, but they can grow anywhere from 18 to 80 feet. Some of the most common varieties include:

What diseases can kill maple trees?

There are several damaging maple tree diseases and pests. Some of the most common are: Verticillium Wilt – Also called maple wilt, this fungus is a common and serious problem that can kill trees. This infection starts in the root system and works its way up the maple tree, resulting in cankers and dieback.

How to tell if maple tree has wilted?

Signs of maple wilt include scorched-looking leaves and diseased branches with unhealthy leaves. Occasionally olive-colored streaks can be found in the sapwood. Anthracnose – This disease results in extensive defoliation, shoot dieback, and twig death.

What causes tar spots on maple trees?

Tar Spot – This disease affects several maple species and causes large, tar-like spots on the leaves. This is a fungal disease, and a good preventative measure is to rake up any dead or fallen leaves around the tree. Asian Longhorned Beetle – This insect damages the sapwood beneath the bark layer, preventing the tree from properly transporting ...

Why is it important to prune a maple tree?

Pruning offers a host of benefits: Reduces storm damage Pruning can reduce specific defects or structural problems in a maple tree to greatly lessen the risk of failure.

What color are Japanese maples?

Sugar maples turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and bright red in the fall. They have a gray bark and a sensitive root system. Their sap is also the source of maple syrup. Japanese maples are lovely ornamentals, meaning that they remain smaller in size. They’re known for their interesting branching structure, bright color, ...

What color are maple trees?

Maple trees have dark brown furrowed bark, small, winged fruits, and narrow reddish-brown twigs. Maple trees commonly have green lobed leaves that change their color to red, yellow, orange, and dark burgundy in the fall . The most identifiable feature of maple trees is their lobed leaves.

How tall do maple trees get?

The most identifiable feature of maple trees is their lobed leaves. Maples trees grow up to 150 ft. (45 m) tall. Maple trees are flowering trees belonging to the genus Acer and the family Sapindaceae. Maples are closely related to horse chestnut trees.

What color are the leaves on a red maple tree?

Red maple trees have light-green leaves with a silvery underside. The leaves have three or five lobes with serrated edges. Red maple leaves don’t have deep indentations between the lobes like sugar maple trees. Red maples have pale gray bark that is thinner than sugar maples. The leaves turn deep red in the fall.

What is the difference between a sugar maple and a red maple?

Sugar maple trees have leaves with smooth margins while red maple trees have leaves with serrated edges. The indentation between the lobes of sugar maple leaves is U shaped with a rounded base while the red maple trees have leaves with V shaped indentations. Here are more details about sugar maple and red maple trees:

What is the largest maple tree in the world?

Bigleaf maple trees are native to North America and have the largest leaves on any maple species. Also called the Oregon maple, this giant tree grows up to 158 ft. (48 m) tall. The dark green foliage grows as a broad-rounded crown. Bigleaf maples thrive in zones 6 and 7.

How many lobes does a sugar maple tree have?

Sugar maple trees have 5-lobed leaves (3 large lobes and 2 small lobes). The space between the five pointed lobes of sugar maple leaves is U-shaped with a rounded base. The leaves of sugar maple trees are up to 8” (20 cm) long and wide. Red maple trees have light-green leaves with a silvery underside.

How many types of maple trees are there?

Maple Trees Facts. The ornamental maple tree provides stunning autumn color and there are many types to suit every garden. There are about 128 species of maple trees in the Acer plant genus. The two most common maples are the sugar maple ( Acer saccharum) and the red maple ( Acer rubrum ).

What is maple tree?

The maple tree is known for its striking fall color and distinctive leaves. Native to many areas in North America, maples grow in wooded areas. All maple trees are deciduous, losing their leaves in winter and growing new foliage the following spring. A number of maples become quite large when mature and make excellent shade trees ...

What color are maple trees?

Maple flowers are green, yellow, orange or red. Though individually small, the effect of an entire tree in flower can be striking in several species. Most maples are shade-tolerant when young and are often riparian, understory, or pioneer species rather than climax overstory trees.

How tall does a paperbark maple get?

When mature, the paperbark maple grows to about 15 to 30 feet tall and wide, usually with an oval to a rounded oval shape. In rare instances, old trees may grow as high as 40 feet. This tree grows more slowly than many maples and may take 20 years to reach full height.

How tall is a red maple tree?

There are many maples, ranging from the small Tatarian maple (Acer tataricum) to the towering red maple (Acer rubrum), which can reach heights of 60 feet or more . In this article, learn to know the different varieties of maple trees available around the world.

What is the first tree to bloom?

In the spring, the silver maple is one of the first trees to bloom, producing showy red flowers. Silver maples have a strong oval shape, although some cultivars have branches that are susceptible to breakage, requiring careful pruning.

How tall is a vine maple?

Acer circinatum also referred to as the vine maple commonly grows as a large shrub growing to around 5 to 8 metres (16 to 26 ft) tall, but it will occasionally form a small to medium-sized tree, exceptionally to 18 metres (59 ft) tall. The shoots are slender and hairless. It typically grows in the under story below much taller forest trees, but can sometimes be found in open ground, and occurs at altitudes from sea level up to 1,500 meters.

What is the color of the leaves on a full moon maple?

Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’ known as ‘The Full Moon Maple’ or “Golden Full Moon maple” has large chartreuse orbicular leaves with bright red petioles which make this one of the most desired maples. This slow-growing deciduous tree takes about 10 years to read 6 feet high. Yellow flowers appear in the spring after the chartreuse-gold leaves unfurl. Seed capsules resembling wing nuts follow the blossoms. The bright-colored leaves turn orange-red in autumn. This ornamental maple acts as a focal point in home gardens.

How big do red maple trees get?

Fast Growing and Useful, to a Point. Red maple trees grow about 36 inches each year and can grow up to 120 feet tall, though they average about 40 to 50 feet. The trees live anywhere from 50 to 150 years and work well as specimen trees in a landscape that can accommodate their size.

Where does red maple grow?

Native to eastern North America and growing from the oceans to the prairies, red maple has the widest north-to-south native range of all other trees on the East Coast.

What causes a maple tree to wilt?

Verticillium wilt is a disease that can kill a tree after first causing leaves to wilt. If your tree is getting enough water, but you see wilting, call a professional to diagnose and treat what may be verticillium wilt. Root rot might occur with your maple, and like verticillium, it's difficult to diagnose.

Why are red maple trees weak?

With a branch strength rating of medium weak, red maples are susceptible to broken branches from ice storms or high winds . The trees' trunks are also easily nicked by lawn movers, causing visual blemishes and making the tree prey for pests or disease that could find entry into the trunk.

What is the best zone for red maple?

Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 or 4 through 9, making it a versatile tree for many areas of the country.

Can maple trees get root rot?

Root rot might occur with your maple, and like verticillium, it's difficult to diagnose. There is no cure for the disease. The leaf spot fungus appears as brownish spots on the leaves, eventually causing them to drop. Remove all leaves from around the tree and apply an fungicidal spray as directed.

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Overview

Acer rubrum, the red maple, also known as swamp maple, water maple or soft maple, is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. The U.S. Forest service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. The red maple ranges from southeastern Manitoba around the Lake of the Woods on the border with Ontario

Description

Though A. rubrum is sometimes easy to identify, it is highly changeable in morphological characteristics. It is a medium to large sized tree, reaching heights of 27 to 38 metres (90 to 120 ft) and exceptionally over 41 metres (135 feet) in the southern Appalachians where conditions favor its growth. The leaves are usually 9 to 11 centimetres (3+1⁄2 to 4+1⁄4 in) long on a full-grown …

Distribution and habitat

Acer rubrum is one of the most abundant and widespread trees in eastern North America. It can be found from the south of Newfoundland, through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and southern Quebec to the southwest west of Ontario, extreme southeastern Manitoba and northern Minnesota; southward through Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, eastern Oklahoma, and eastern Texas in its western range; and east to Florida. It has the largest continuous range along the North American Atlantic …

Ecology

Red maple's maximum lifespan is 150 years, but most live less than 100 years. The tree's thin bark is easily damaged from ice and storms, animals, and when used in landscaping, being struck by flying debris from lawn mowers, allowing fungi to penetrate and cause heart rot. Its ability to thrive in a large number of habitats is largely due to its ability to produce roots to suit its site from a youn…

Cultivation

Red maple's rapid growth, ease of transplanting, attractive form, and value for wildlife (in the eastern US) has made it one of the most extensively planted trees. In parts of the Pacific Northwest, it is one of the most common introduced trees. Its popularity in cultivation stems from its vigorous habit, its attractive and early red flowers, and most importantly, its flaming red fall foliage. The tree wa…

Other uses

In the lumber industry Acer rubrum is considered a "soft maple", a designation it shares, commercially, with silver maple (A. saccharinum). In this context, the term "soft" is more comparative, than descriptive; i.e., "soft maple", while softer than its harder cousin, sugar maple (A. saccharum), is still a fairly hard wood, being comparable to black cherry (Prunus serotina) in this regard. Like A. saccharum, the wood of red maple is close-grained, but its texture is softer, l…

See also

• List of plants poisonous to equines
• List of foods made from maple

External links

• "Acer rubrum". Plants for a Future.
• NRCS: United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile and map: Acer rubrum
• Acer rubrum images from Vanderbilt University
• Portrait of the Earth, Winter ID photos

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