Streambanks, gravelly slopes and open woods from British Columbia (except northeastern BC) to Alberta foothills and south to the US, mainly from Oregon to Utah. Small tree or multi-stemmed shrub leaves have three to five lobes, and turn yellow to red in the fall yellowish green flowers grow in small clusters maple key wings are paired in a V-shape. Small tree or multi-stemmed shrub leaves have seven to nine lobes, and turn bright red or golden in the fall white flowers grow in small clusters maple key wings are wide apart.ĭamp, open woods and streamsides, from southwestern British Columbia to northern California.Īcer glabrum (Douglas or Rocky Mountain maple) They are a major constituent of many temperate forests. In a range of habitats and at varying altitudes but prefer deep, moist, fertile soils. platanoides), becoming naturalized in parts of Canada. Of the 125 Acer species found worldwide, over two-thirds grow in China 10 are native to Canada, and others are grown as ornamentals, with some (such as Norway maple, A. The angle between the wings of a maple key varies with different species. The fruits (known as samaras or maple keys) are produced in winged pairs (rarely in threes). MaleĪnd female flowers are separate, within the same cluster, in separate clusters, or on separate trees, again depending on the species. The flowers, pollinated by wind or by insects, are clustered, whitish to light yellow-green, or sometimes red in colour, depending on the species. In spring, the maple leaf-buds start to expand, often at the same time as the tree’s blooming flowers. The fall colours are due to the production of pigments called anthocyanins (responsible for the red colours) and/or the presence of carotenoids (orange and yellow) in the leaves after the green chlorophyll breaks down. On the west coast, however, the bigleaf maple, equally vibrant, turns bright golden yellow. Most, especially those celebrated in Canada’s eastern hardwood forests, display brilliant reds and oranges. Maples are famous for their brilliant fall colours. The fruit, winged key seeds called double samaras, develops early in the spring.Vine maple leaves have seven to nine lobes and turn bright red or yellow in the fall. Maples often have small flowers that are not very showy and form in droopy clusters. The boxelder is the exception, featuring multiple, compound leaves radiating from the leafstalk. The leafstalks are long, often as long as the leaf itself. The leaves are simple and palmate-shaped on most species, with three or five main veins radiating from the leafstalk. Here, we identify these top five maples and provide general tips for recognizing maple trees in the forest.ĭespite the many different types of maples, these trees have some common features.įor example, maples have mostly grey-colored bark, and the deciduous leaves are often always arranged on stems opposite each other. That's because the seven less common species are found regionally, whereas the five most common ones are more widespread. However, five of those maple species are vastly more common to spot on your nature walk. There are approximately 125 species worldwide and 12 maples native to North America. The word Acer is derived from a Latin word meaning 'sharp,' and the name refers to the characteristic points on the leaf lobes. Maple trees are classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae.

Maple syrup trees type maple tree