maples

Maples are trees and shrubs in the genus Acer, part of the family Sapindaceae. The genus comprises roughly 100 described species, distributed across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with centers of diversity in East Asia and North America. Common species include Acer saccharum (sugar maple), Acer rubrum (red maple), Acer platanoides (Norway maple), Acer palmatum (Japanese maple), and Acer griseum (paperbark maple).

Most maples are deciduous trees with opposite leaves that are palmately lobed, usually with 3–9 lobes and serrated margins. The fruits are paired winged samaras that rotate in the wind to disperse seeds. Maples vary in size from small trees to large shade trees, and they often exhibit vibrant fall color ranging from yellow to orange and red.

Ecology and uses: Sugar maple sap is tapped in late winter to produce maple syrup. Wood is hard and used for furniture, flooring, and veneers. Many maples are valued as landscape ornamentals for shade and autumn color, and some forms such as Japanese maples are used for small-scale ornamental plantings.

Cultivation and distribution: Maples prefer well-drained soils and a climate with cold winters; they grow best in full sun to partial shade. They tolerate a range of soil types, though some species prefer more acidic soils. Some species, notably Norway maple, have become invasive outside their native range in parts of North America.

Pests and diseases: Maples can be affected by aphids and scale, and by diseases such as verticillium wilt and tar spot; regions with invasive pests such as the Asian long-horned beetle have reported localized impacts. Overall, maples are a diverse and widely cultivated group with ecological and economic significance.