Maple Tree

Kingdom	Plantae
Unranked	Angiosperms
Unranked	Eudicots
Order	Sapindales
Family	Sapindaceae
Genus	Acer
Species	A. campestre
Binomial name	Acer campestre

Other Common Names:

The other common names for the maple tree are common maple, hedge maple and field maple.

History

The Maple (Acer campestre) is a representative of the genus Acer and of the order Sapindaceae.Field Maple wood was prized for carved work such as bowls. It appears very little in our history having been mainly used as a hedging tree.

The word Acer is derived from a Latin word meaning "sharp" (referring to the characteristic points on the leaves) and was first applied to the genus by the French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in 1700. The type species of the genus is Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore Maple).Maple collections, sometimes called aceretums, occupy space in many gardens and arboreta around the world including the "five great W's" in England: Wakehurst Place Garden, Westonbirt Arboretum, Windsor Great Park, Winkworth Arboretum and Wisley Garden.

Description

Maples are mostly trees growing to 10-40 metres (30-130 ft) in height. The branches of the Maple spread somewhat horizontally, and when growing apart from other trees it acquires a compact rounded head not unlike that of many Sycamores. The bark of the young branches is smooth, but early becomes brown, rough, and corky, splitting in longitudinal furrows, and affording a pleasing contrast to the crimson stalks of the young leaves, and to the somewhat somber greens of the foliage

The flower clusters stand erect appearing with the leaves which is a good distinguishing feature (sycamore's hang under the leaf) the leaves are small (half the size of sycamore) with 5 blunt lobes. In autumn they fade to a golden hue. The bark is rough and brown, usually corky and ridged when older. Field Maple is unusual in that its outer branches often become ridged as well as on the main trunk. Like most Acers such as Sycamore, Field Maple produces winged seed pods which spin off in autumn like autogyros. However, these pods are held horizontally on the tree and are directly opposed to one another, unlike Sycamore where they hang down at an angle. Field Maple develops small brown buds in winter, unlike sycamores green buds.

Range

There are approximately 125 species with over 1000 cultivars of maple, mostly native to Asia, but several species also occur in Europe, northern Africa, and North America.

Habitat

Maple thrives on any well drained but moist soil, making it an ideal choice for virtually all gardens. It tolerates drought and air pollution. Usually found in swamps and uplands, it also occasionally grows on dry rocky hillsides and sand dunes.

Cultivation

Maple is a prolific seed producer and trees as young as four years may begin to bear seeds. Good seed crops are usually produced in alternate years. Seedbed requirements are minimal and up to 95% of viable seeds germinate in the first 10 days; some survive in the duff and germinate the following year. Because the mature seeds are dispersed in spring and can germinate immediately, seedlings can become established with a 3-4 month advantage over most associated woody species. A bank of persistent seedlings often accumulates beneath a forest canopy. Seedlings can survive 3-5 years of moderate shade, but establishment and early growth are best after disturbance. Male (staminate) trees may grow faster than female ones. Average longevity for red maple is about 80-100 years, but trees are known to reach 200 years of age. Vegetative reproduction under natural conditions is common from sprouts from the stump or root crown or root suckers after fire or mechanical damage. Buds located at the base of stems commonly sprout 2-6 weeks after the stem is cut.

Flowering Season

Maples flower in late winter or early spring, in most species with or just after the leaves appear, but in some before them. Maple flowers are green, yellow, orange or red.

Pests and Diseases

Besides being occasionally blotched in autumn by the attacks of the black fungus Rhytisma acerinum, so universal on the Sycamore, the leaves of the Maple are also commonly disfigured either by mildew or by a gall. The Maple blight or mildew (Uncinula bicornis) gives the whole plant a hoary appearance, as if sprinkled with powdered chalk, both surfaces of the leaves being alike affected; but this disease must not be confounded with an unhealthy condition formerly attributed to another fungus, and known as Erineum acerinum, which in spring produces patches of pinkish or violet hoariness on the under surfaces of the leaves, glistening like hoar-frost.

Parts Used

The inner bark, leaves, sap and seed of the maple tree are the most commonly used parts for its commercial and medicinal purposes.

Medicinal Applications

• The bark has astringent properties and has been used as an application for sore eyes.

• An infusion of the bark has been used to treat cramps and dysentery.

• Tea brewed from the inner bark has been used for treating coughs and diarrhea.

• A decoction of the leaves or bark opens obstructions of the liver and spleen and eases pains from them.

• Maple syrup is regarded as a 'health' food and is available from health stores. It can be used as a substitute for sugar.

Commercial Applications

• The wood of the maple is excellent as fuel, and can be made into charcoal.

• Probably best used as a hedging plant as it clips well.

• Maple syrup and its artificial imitations are the preferred toppings for pancakes, waffles, and French toast.

• The young shoots, being flexible and tough, are employed in France as whips.

• It is dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread.

• The wood of the roots is often knotted and is valuable for small objects of cabinet-work.

• Maple syrup is sometimes boiled down further to make maple sugar, usually sold in pressed blocks, and translucent candy.