5 Common Native Maple Trees In Virginia (Pictures & Identification)
If you live in Virginia, you already know that Sugar Maple trees are a common sight along roadsides and backyards. But, do you know that along with Sugar Maple, there are quite a few other maple varieties native to the state?
In this article, I will be going through the list of 5 commonly seen native maple trees in Virginia. I will also include their images and descriptions focusing on leaves, fruits, and other traits so that you can easily identify these trees next time.
Also, if you have enough space in your back or front yard, growing some of these trees can bring really good aesthetics to your locality.
Let’s get started.
1. Sugar Maple Tree
Sugar Maple, also called Hard Maple or Rock Maple, is a deciduous tree in the genus Acer. This is one of the most commonly found maple trees in Virginia. The wood of this tree is golden brown or pink, which is pretty hard and strong. It is used for flooring, furniture, veneer, and toys.
The sugar maple tree usually grows between 70 and 100 feet tall and has an oval crown that is 2 to 3 feet wide. The leaves are 3–5 inches long and wide and have five lobes (arranged opposite).
In the fall, the leaves turn bright shades of red, yellow, or orange and make the landscape very attractive. The flowers are small (1 to 3 inches long), light yellow-green, and grouped. The fruit is shaped like a horseshoe, has two wings, and is about an inch long. When they fall, they spin like propellers.
The bark is grey to brown and gets darker as the tree gets older. It has furrows and long, thick, uneven ridges that curl outward.
Birds and small animals eat the seeds, while rabbits, deer, and squirrels eat the twigs. Additionally, maple syrup and sugar are both made from the sap of this tree.
2. Silver Maple Tree
The Silver Maple is a beautiful tree that can be used in many ways and has many benefits. It usually grows to be between 50 and 80 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
You can easily identify this variety by analyzing the trunks. It has a short trunk that often splits into several smaller trunks. Also, check the branches that sweep down and then curve upward.
In nature, it is usually found near streams, flood plains, and the edges of lakes. The leaves are simple, opposite, 2.75 to 5 inches long, and have five main lobes and deep sinuses. They are light green on top and white-like silver on the bottom.
People often use Silver Maple to make boxes, furniture, and fuel. It can also be used for making syrup, though it gives less sap than other maples.
Early in the spring, clusters of greenish-to-reddish flowers will show up before the leaves. The fruit has two wings and a shallow V shape. It ripens in late spring and can grow seeds right away.
When it is young, the bark is smooth and light grey, but as it gets older, it splits into long, thin strips. When broken, the twigs smell bad and are shiny and reddish to chestnut brown.
Its seeds are a good source of food for many birds and small animals. Because of this reason, it is often used as an ornamental tree in gardens of those who love wildlife. However, keep in mind that the roots of this tree are known to clog water and sewage lines. So only plant them in a spot that is several feet away from any known lines.
3. Red Maple Tree
Red Maple, also called Swamp Maple or Soft Maple, is a medium-sized tree with a round or narrow crown, depending on its environment.
It can grow up to 90 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide. It is naturally found in different kinds of places from dry ridges to swamps. The red maple is one of the maple varieties that grow in most soil conditions across the US very easily.
It has simple, opposite leaves that are 2 to 6 inches long and have 3 to 5 lobes and rough-toothed edges. The leaves are green on top and white on the bottom.
Just like most other maple varieties, the leaves turn bright red, orange, or yellow in autumn.
It has small, pretty flowers that are usually bright red but sometimes yellow. In the spring, the flowers come out before the leaves do.
Following flowers, a V-shaped small fruit is produced. The fruit ripens in late spring and early summer and is loved by squirrels and similar animals.
On young trunks, the bark is smooth and light grey. However, on older trunks, the bark is darker grey and divided into large, plate-like scales by vertical ridges. It has reddish, shiny branches with small pores and blunt, green, or reddish buds with several loose scales.
Red maple is used to make furniture, woodenware, paper pulp, and paper. It can also be tapped to make maple syrup. It is also a popular shade tree and ornamental tree with beautiful fall color.
4. Striped Maple Tree
The Striped Maple is one of the shortest maple trees in Virginia. They are considered small trees or large shrubs with an open crown that can reach a height of 25 feet and a diameter of 8 inches. It thrives on shady slopes under larger hardwood trees in a cool climate.
In a few American herbal books, it is mentioned that this tree has medicinal properties. And, this claim has been proven true by recent scientific research where they found tumor-fighting substances. That’s pretty cool for a commonly found tree!
To identify them analyze leaves, flowers, fruits, and barks. It has simple, opposite leaves that are 5 to 8 inches long and have three lobes that look like the toes on a goose’s foot.
In late spring, thin clusters of yellow-green bell-shaped flowers are produced. After flowering, pairs of winged, V-shaped fruits start to appear in late summer.
Its bark is smooth and gray-green when young, but it turns reddish brown as it ages. Its twigs are moderately thick, green turning to red or reddish brown, and smooth, with reddish buds that are narrowly egg-shaped and have stalks that look like duck bills.
Even though it is not a common sight in backyards, some people like their striped bark and plant them for ornamental purposes. Also, its wood is white and fine-grained, but it is rarely used for anything.
5. Boxelder Maple Tree
Because of its invasive nature, the boxelder maple is one of Virginia’s most commonly seen maple trees after the Sugar Maple. They are also known by the names ash-leaved maple and Manitoba maple.
This maple is relatively short-lived (only 60 to 70 years) compared to other maple trees. They can reach a height of 35-80ft with around a 1 to 2ft trunk diameter.
The Boxelder Maple tree can be easily identified by its unique leaf form, which is three-lobed with a deep V-shape. The foliage has a bright green tint that becomes golden in the autumn. The bark of the Boxelder Maple tree is smooth and gray, with a few little bumps here and there.
Additionally, the Boxelder Maple tree blooms in the spring with clusters of little yellow-green flowers. The tree produces winged seeds that are about 1 inch long and are typically observed in groups in the fall.
In some localities and regions, this tree is considered to be invasive and banned from planting in yards. So, before planting them, consult with your local horticulture authority.
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Sources
The Regional Gardening team ensures the credibility of the information presented in our articles by exclusively utilizing sources of a reputable nature. These sources include those that have been published in peer-reviewed journals by esteemed universities and scientific research institutions.
