How to ID a Maple Tree
According to "Identifying Maple Trees for Syrup Production," there are a hundred or more classified species of maple and over a dozen native to North America. Maples are members of the Acer genus of plants. Each species in Acer bears unique traits that distinguishes it from other maples, but they all share distinct characteristics that set them apart from other trees. Examine the leaves, branches and fruit of a tree to identify it as a maple or to determine its exact species within the Acer genus. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Pull a leaf from the tree in question. Note its characteristics and save it in a container for later comparison or research. Maple trees have leaves with either three or five lobes, but some species can produce both. Maple leaves often have serrated, toothlike edges or pointy tips, which lends to their distinctive jagged aesthetic.
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Inspect the tree's branches and foliage to determine the leaf and stem growing pattern. Maple leaves, stems and buds grow in pairs of two from opposite directions. This opposing symmetrical growth is easy to recognize and is a common trait of nearly all maples. The leaf pairs are spaced roughly 1 to 2 inches apart along the stem, depending on the species.
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Feel and inspect the bark on the tree's trunk, noting its color, texture and pattern. Take a picture of the bark or collect and store a small sample to improve the accuracy of later research and identification. The characteristics of the bark helps distinguish between otherwise similar species within the maple genus.
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Gather samples of the tree's fruit during spring, summer and fall. Maples can bear fruit for at least a few months each year; the exact flowering period depends on the species. Maple fruit consist of a pair of seeds equipped with two aerodynamic blades. Many liken their unique appearance and movement to a helicopter. The actual size of the seeds and blades varies significantly among maples. Some produce large individual fruit over several inches long, while others bear clusters of smaller winged fruit.
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Compare your samples and notes with a reliable source of information either online or in print. The National Audubon Society is a long-standing, reputable source of information on plant and wildlife classification. It regularly updates and publishes editions of a comprehensive field guide of North American trees.
Some reputable organizations and educational institutions provide maple identification free of cost on their website. The Vermont Department of Forests, Park and Recreation provides images, information and links to help identify various maple species on a state-sponsored website: Maple Info (see Resources).
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References
Resources
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