# Maple (*Acer*) Maple trees are known for their beautiful leaves that change color in the fall. They provide shade and are used to make syrup. Maple trees are important for many animals that live in forests. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Black Maple ![Maple](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Acer_campestre_Sturm07018.jpg&width=800) Photo: Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm ), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acer_campestre_Sturm07018.jpg) ## Appearance The Maple has distinctive, often broad, lobed leaves that turn brilliant shades of red, orange, or yellow in autumn. Its bark can be smooth and grey, or furrowed and dark, often with striking patterns. Many species have an elegant, rounded crown. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Sapindaceae - **Genus:** Acer ## Interesting facts - Maple syrup was first discovered and used by Indigenous peoples. - Maple wood is so strong, it's used to make bowling alley lanes! - Some maple trees can grow taller than a 10-story building! - The iconic maple leaf is a proud national symbol for Canada. ## Special abilities - **Helicopter Glide:** Maple can launch its winged seeds, called samaras, which spin like tiny helicopters to travel far from the parent tree. - **Sugar Power-Up:** Maple has a special ability to store sugar in its roots over winter. In spring, this sugary sap flows to help it grow. - **Autumn Blaze:** Maple has leaves that change into vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows in autumn. This helps the tree recycle nutrients. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-30 m - **Spread:** 10-20 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 30-100 cm - **Lifespan:** 150-300 years - **Fruit Type:** Samara (winged seed) - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Consumes Maple seeds and buds. - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on young Maple leaves and twigs. - **Eats:** Norway Maple Aphid (*Aphis platanoides*) — Feeds on Maple sap from leaves. - **Shelter:** [Pileated Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pileated-woodpecker) (*Dryocopus pileatus*) — Nests in cavities of mature Maple trees. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy looking at maple trees and their leaves, but avoid climbing them to stay safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Maple? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Maple? 15-30 m ### How wide does Maple spread? 10-20 m ### Is Maple edible? Yes ### How big is Maple? 30-100 cm ### How long does Maple live? 150-300 years ### Where is Maple usually found? Forests ### What kind of fruit does Maple produce? Samara (winged seed) ## Where to spot - [Planten un Blomen (Hamburg)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/planten-un-blomen-hamburg) — Hamburg, DE · Park - [Domgarten Naumburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/domgarten-naumburg) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Park - [Parque Forestal Polvoranca](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parque-forestal-polvoranca) — Comunidad de Madrid, ES · Park - [Mikiyama Forest Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mikiyama-forest-park) — Kansai, JP · Park - [Minami Alps National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/minami-alps-national-park) — Chubu, JP · Park - [Yahiko Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/yahiko-park) — Chubu, JP · Park [View all places to see Maple](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/maple) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Maple: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/maple)