Difference between revisions of "Silver Maple"

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__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
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{{SPlantbox
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| name = ''Acer saccharinum''
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|familia=Aceraceae
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| common_names = Silver Maple
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|genus=Acer
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| growth_habit = deciduous tree
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|species=saccharinum
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| high = 40-100 ft
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|common_name=River maple, Silver maple, Soft maple, White maple
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| wide = 40-100 ft
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|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| origin = E N. America
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|habit=tree
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| poisonous =     <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
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|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| lifespan = perennial
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|Max ht box=100
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| exposure =     <!--- sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
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|Max ht metric=ft
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| water =     <!--- frequent, regular, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
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|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| features =     <!--- flowers, fragrance, naturalizes, invasive -->
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|Max wd box=80
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| hardiness =     <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 40[[Fahrenheit|°F]] (5[[Celsius|°C]]), etc -->
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|Max wd metric=ft
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| bloom =     <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for it's flowers -->
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|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| usda_zones =     <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
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|origin=Eastern North America
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| sunset_zones = 1-9, 12, 14-24, 28-44
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|lifespan=perennial
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| color = IndianRed
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|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| image = Silber-Ahorn_(Acer_saccharinum).jpg
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|exposure=sun
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| image_width = 200px
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|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| image_caption =    <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
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|features=deciduous
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|regnum = Plantae
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|flower_season=early spring, mid spring, late spring
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|unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
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|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|unranked_classis = Eudicots
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|Temp Metric=°F
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|unranked_ordo = Rosids
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|min_zone=4
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|ordo = Sapindales
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|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|familia = Sapindaceae
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|max_zone=8
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|genus = Acer
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|sunset_zones=1-9, 12, 14-24, 28-44
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|species = saccharinum
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|image=Silber-Ahorn_(Acer_saccharinum).jpg
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|image_width=200
 
}}
 
}}
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{{edit-desc}}<!--- Type GENERAL genus/plant description below this line, then delete this entire line -->
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The '''silver maple''' (''Acer saccharinum'')—also called '''creek maple''', '''river maple''', '''silverleaf maple''', '''soft maple''', '''water maple''', or '''white maple'''—is a species of [[maple]] native to eastern [[North America]] in the eastern [[United States]] and adjacent parts of southeast [[Canada]]. It is one of the most common trees in the [[United States]].
  
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In the English Christmas carol, "Wassail, Wassail All Over the Town", the "white maple" in "Our bowl, it is made of the white maple tree" refers not to the silver (white) maple but the wood of the [[Acer pseudoplatanus|Sycamore maple]], ''Acer pseudoplatanus''.
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The silver maple is a relatively fast-growing [[deciduous]] [[tree]], commonly reaching a height of 15–25 m (50–80&nbsp;ft), exceptionally 35&nbsp;m (115&nbsp;ft). Its spread will generally be 11–15 m (35–50&nbsp;ft) wide. A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 8&nbsp;m (25&nbsp;ft) tall. It is often found along waterways and in wetlands, leading to the colloquial name "water maple". It is a highly adaptable tree, although it has higher sunlight requirements than other maples.
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[[Image:Silver Maple Acer saccharinum Leaves 2598px.jpg|thumb|left|Silver maple leaves]]
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The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[leaf shape|palmate]], 8–16&nbsp;cm long and 6–12&nbsp;cm broad, with deep angular notches between the five lobes. The 5–12&nbsp;cm long, slender stalks of the leaves mean that even a light breeze can produce a striking effect as the silver undersides of the leaves are exposed.  The autumn color is less pronounced than in many maples, generally ending up a pale yellow, although some specimens can produce a more brilliant yellow and even orange and red colorations.  Some specimens can simply drop their leaves while still green as well.
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The [[flower]]s are in small [[panicle]]s, produced before the leaves in early spring, with the [[seed]]s maturing in early summer. The seeds are winged, in pairs, small (5–10&nbsp;mm diameter), the wing about 3–5&nbsp;cm long.  Although the wings provide for some transport by air, the seeds are heavy and are also transported by water.
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On mature trunks, the bark is gray and shaggy. On branches and young trunks, the bark is smooth and silvery gray.
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In many parts of the eastern U.S., the large rounded buds of the silver maple are one of the primary food sources for [[squirrels]] during the spring, after many acorns and nuts have sprouted and the squirrels' food is scarce.  The seeds are the largest of any native maple and are also a food source for wildlife.
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The silver maple has brittle wood, and is commonly damaged in storms. The roots are shallow and fibrous and easily invade septic fields and old drain pipes and can also crack sidewalks and foundations.  It is a vigorous resprouter, and if not pruned, it will often grow with multiple trunks.  It is, nonetheless, widely used as an [[ornamental plant|ornamental tree]] because of its rapid growth and ease of propagation and transplanting.  It is highly tolerant of urban conditions, which is why it is frequently planted next to streets.  Although it naturally is found near water, it can grow on drier ground if planted there.
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It is also commonly cultivated outside its native range, showing tolerance of a wide range of climates, growing successfully as far north as central [[Norway]] and south to [[Orlando, Florida]]. It can thrive in a [[Mediterranean climate]], as at [[Jerusalem]] and [[Los Angeles]], if summer water is provided. It is also grown in temperate parts of the [[Southern Hemisphere]]: [[Argentina]], [[Uruguay]], [[Venezuela]], the [[Brazil|southern states of Brazil]], as well as in a few lower temperature locations within the states of [[São Paulo]] and [[Minas Gerais]], (also in Brazil).
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The silver maple is closely related to the [[red maple]], and can hybridise with it, the [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] being known as the Freeman maple (''Acer x freemanii''). The Freeman maple is a popular ornamental tree in [[park]]s and large [[garden]]s, combining the fast growth of silver maple with the less brittle wood and less invasive roots of the red maple
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{{Inc|
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Acer saccharinum, Linn. (A. dasycarpum, Ehrh. A. eriocarpum, Michx.). White or Silver Maple. Large tree, 120 ft.: lvs. deeply 5-lobed to 5-cleft, 4-6 in. long, green above, silvery white beneath; lobes deeply and doubly serrate: fls. greenish yellow, apetalous: fr. pubescent when young. E. N. Amer.—Ornamental tree, with wide-spreading, slender branches, growing best in rich and moist soil, but succeeds almost anywhere. Lvs. turn clear yellow in fall. Many garden forms: Var. Wieri, Schwerin (var. WiJkri lacinialum, Hort.). Branches pendulous: lvs. deeply cleft, with dissected lobes.—A graceful variety, remarkable for its drooping branches and finely divided foliage. M.D.G. 1903:628 (habit). Var. heterophyllum, Pax (var. heterophyllum laciniatum, Hort.). Upright: lvs. deeply and unequally divided, with narrow lobes.
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Var. tripartitum, Pax. Upright: lvs. 3-parted. Var. lutescens, Spaeth. Lvs. yellow, bronze-colored when unfolding. Var. 41bo-variegatum, Spaeth (var. Juhlkei, Hort.). Lvs. spotted with white or rosy pink. Var.crispum, Schwerin. Lvs. deeply (cut and crimped.-Linnaeus evidently supposed this species to be the sugar maple, and named it accordingly. He did not know the true sugar maple.
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}}
  
 
:''More information about this species can be found on the [[Acer|genus page]].''
 
:''More information about this species can be found on the [[Acer|genus page]].''
  
 
==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==
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{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
 
{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
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===Pests and diseases===
 
===Pests and diseases===
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{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
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[[Aphids]].  [[Cottony scale]].
  
 
==Cultivars==
 
==Cultivars==
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*'Silver Queen'
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*'Silver Queen' - A more upright habit, with bright golden leaves in autumn, and no seeds.
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*'Wieri' ('Laciniatum')
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*'Wieri' ('Laciniatum') - Wier Maple, Cutleaf Silver Maple.  Has much more finely cut leaves, and provides a bit more open shade than the species.
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
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Image:Silver-maple-leaves.jpg| leaves
 
Image:Silver-maple-leaves.jpg| leaves
 
Image:Silver-maple-bark.jpg| Silver Maple bark
 
Image:Silver-maple-bark.jpg| Silver Maple bark
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Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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File:Silver maple leaf.jpg| photo 3
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
 
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
 
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
 
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->
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*Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Categorize]]
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__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 01:42, 29 October 2010


Silber-Ahorn (Acer saccharinum).jpg


Plant Characteristics
Habit   tree

Height: ⇕ 100 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 100.
Width: ⇔ 80 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 80.
Lifespan: ⌛ perennial
Origin: ✈ Eastern North America
Bloom: ❀ early spring, mid spring, late spring
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ sun
Features: ✓ deciduous
USDA Zones: 4 to 8
Sunset Zones: 1-9, 12, 14-24, 28-44
Scientific Names

Aceraceae >

Acer >

saccharinum >


The silver maple (Acer saccharinum)—also called creek maple, river maple, silverleaf maple, soft maple, water maple, or white maple—is a species of maple native to eastern North America in the eastern United States and adjacent parts of southeast Canada. It is one of the most common trees in the United States.

In the English Christmas carol, "Wassail, Wassail All Over the Town", the "white maple" in "Our bowl, it is made of the white maple tree" refers not to the silver (white) maple but the wood of the Sycamore maple, Acer pseudoplatanus.

The silver maple is a relatively fast-growing deciduous tree, commonly reaching a height of 15–25 m (50–80 ft), exceptionally 35 m (115 ft). Its spread will generally be 11–15 m (35–50 ft) wide. A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 8 m (25 ft) tall. It is often found along waterways and in wetlands, leading to the colloquial name "water maple". It is a highly adaptable tree, although it has higher sunlight requirements than other maples.

Silver maple leaves

The leaves are palmate, 8–16 cm long and 6–12 cm broad, with deep angular notches between the five lobes. The 5–12 cm long, slender stalks of the leaves mean that even a light breeze can produce a striking effect as the silver undersides of the leaves are exposed. The autumn color is less pronounced than in many maples, generally ending up a pale yellow, although some specimens can produce a more brilliant yellow and even orange and red colorations. Some specimens can simply drop their leaves while still green as well.

The flowers are in small panicles, produced before the leaves in early spring, with the seeds maturing in early summer. The seeds are winged, in pairs, small (5–10 mm diameter), the wing about 3–5 cm long. Although the wings provide for some transport by air, the seeds are heavy and are also transported by water.

On mature trunks, the bark is gray and shaggy. On branches and young trunks, the bark is smooth and silvery gray.

In many parts of the eastern U.S., the large rounded buds of the silver maple are one of the primary food sources for squirrels during the spring, after many acorns and nuts have sprouted and the squirrels' food is scarce. The seeds are the largest of any native maple and are also a food source for wildlife.

The silver maple has brittle wood, and is commonly damaged in storms. The roots are shallow and fibrous and easily invade septic fields and old drain pipes and can also crack sidewalks and foundations. It is a vigorous resprouter, and if not pruned, it will often grow with multiple trunks. It is, nonetheless, widely used as an ornamental tree because of its rapid growth and ease of propagation and transplanting. It is highly tolerant of urban conditions, which is why it is frequently planted next to streets. Although it naturally is found near water, it can grow on drier ground if planted there.

It is also commonly cultivated outside its native range, showing tolerance of a wide range of climates, growing successfully as far north as central Norway and south to Orlando, Florida. It can thrive in a Mediterranean climate, as at Jerusalem and Los Angeles, if summer water is provided. It is also grown in temperate parts of the Southern Hemisphere: Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, the southern states of Brazil, as well as in a few lower temperature locations within the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, (also in Brazil).

The silver maple is closely related to the red maple, and can hybridise with it, the hybrid being known as the Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii). The Freeman maple is a popular ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, combining the fast growth of silver maple with the less brittle wood and less invasive roots of the red maple


Read about Silver Maple in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Acer saccharinum, Linn. (A. dasycarpum, Ehrh. A. eriocarpum, Michx.). White or Silver Maple. Large tree, 120 ft.: lvs. deeply 5-lobed to 5-cleft, 4-6 in. long, green above, silvery white beneath; lobes deeply and doubly serrate: fls. greenish yellow, apetalous: fr. pubescent when young. E. N. Amer.—Ornamental tree, with wide-spreading, slender branches, growing best in rich and moist soil, but succeeds almost anywhere. Lvs. turn clear yellow in fall. Many garden forms: Var. Wieri, Schwerin (var. WiJkri lacinialum, Hort.). Branches pendulous: lvs. deeply cleft, with dissected lobes.—A graceful variety, remarkable for its drooping branches and finely divided foliage. M.D.G. 1903:628 (habit). Var. heterophyllum, Pax (var. heterophyllum laciniatum, Hort.). Upright: lvs. deeply and unequally divided, with narrow lobes.

Var. tripartitum, Pax. Upright: lvs. 3-parted. Var. lutescens, Spaeth. Lvs. yellow, bronze-colored when unfolding. Var. 41bo-variegatum, Spaeth (var. Juhlkei, Hort.). Lvs. spotted with white or rosy pink. Var.crispum, Schwerin. Lvs. deeply (cut and crimped.-Linnaeus evidently supposed this species to be the sugar maple, and named it accordingly. He did not know the true sugar maple.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


More information about this species can be found on the genus page.

Cultivation

Do you have cultivation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Propagation

Do you have propagation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Pests and diseases

Aphids. Cottony scale.

Cultivars

  • 'Silver Queen' - A more upright habit, with bright golden leaves in autumn, and no seeds.
  • 'Wieri' ('Laciniatum') - Wier Maple, Cutleaf Silver Maple. Has much more finely cut leaves, and provides a bit more open shade than the species.

Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

  • leaves

  • Silver Maple bark

  • photo 3

References

  • Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608

External links


Retrieved from "http://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Silver_Maple&oldid=131911"