Silver Maple Trees
The Silver Maple is a rapidly growing tree and, like the Red Maple, is able to thrive in a wide variety of soils and climates. When the twig is scraped or broken, a strong foul odor can be detected.
Silver Maples can be identified based on the following characteristics:
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Tree : The Silver Maple grows to 70 - 100 feet tall. This tree has brittle wood and is commonly damaged in storms. Lifespan of 130 - 150 years. |
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Habitat : Eastern North America. Found in only extreme Southeastern Canada, but grows in eastern United States south to Georgia and west to Kansas. |
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Bark : The bark on young trees is grey with a reddish tint. On mature trees, the long thin scaly plates produce a shaggy appearance. The color is reddish brown. |
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Leaf : The leaf is 5 - 7 inches wide, with 5 lobes. The margins of the leaf contain fine teeth. The mature leaves are pale green with a silvery white underside (hence the name Silver Maple). |
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Twig / Bud : Similar to the Red Maple. When the twig is broken, a foul smell can be detected. Winter buds are slightly larger than the Red Maple. |
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Fruit : The double- winged fruit develops in clusters, and is 1 ½ - 2 inches long. Often one of the seeds is underdeveloped. The fruit matures in the spring. |
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