Leaves. Each leaf
if 5-7" long, with the same width, and are bright green in the
summer. When they change in the fall they are a beautiful,
soft yellow color. Michael Durr describes it as a "candle
glow from the northern woods into southern Appalachians".
Flowers.
Greenish-yellow flowers that are bell-shaped, linked together in
a strand. The striped maple will flower at the same time
that it puts out leaves in the spring.
Fruit. Striped
maples put out "whirly gig" seeds. The nutlets that are
produced have a wing on either side. These trees do not
produce an overwhelming amount of seed, like some maple
varieties. The correct name for these fruits are samara.
Because of their winged shape, they travel well when the wind
blows. It is really a fantastic design for seed dispersal!
Winter Buds.
Smooth, reddish brown.
Bark. In the family
of maples that are known as "snake-barks", this tree has some
interesting bark. The bark generally has white stripes
against a green background, but can also have lines that range
from green to an almost black color against a reddish
background. This is the only "snake-bark" family member that is
native to North America.
Wood. Considered a
soft maple, the wood is softer and weaker than hard maple.
It is also smaller, with the trunks only measuring in inches.
If the wood is used, it is easy to work with and generally has a
straight or wavy grain. I have read in different places
that Native Americans used the wood to make arrows.
Pests. Currently
there are no major pest problems with the striped maple.
They can be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, cankers or
funguses. The most serious maple problem would be
Verticillium wilt.
Distribution. This
is a great native tree to plant. It's natural range
spreads Georgia up into Canada, growing as farm west as
Minnesota.
Wildlife Value:
Most noted is the value for wildlife browsing. Moose,
chipmunks, rabbits and deer all consume the branches of the
striped maple.
Soil Requirements: Dry
and well drained soils are best for this tree.
Other. Great
to plant in shady garden areas. It can grow in more sunny
locations, but will not thrive as it does in the shade.
Another name for this tree is the Goosefoot Maple, because its
leaves resemble the foot of a goose.
Cultivars. 'Erytrocladum'
- Best known for it's corral colored, young stems. ; 'White
Tigress'
Striped Maple Acer
pensylvanicum