5 Common Maple Trees In Kansas (Photos & Identification)
Maple trees are well-known for their vibrant foliage, which makes them a standout feature in the Kansas landscape during the autumn season. This article will look at five common maple trees in Kansas, with stunning photos and a comprehensive identification guide.
Readers will be able to easily identify and appreciate these trees throughout the year if they understand the different characteristics of each maple species.
The article will include stunning photographs of each maple tree species, highlighting their distinct foliage, bark, and overall structure. With the help of the identification guide, readers will be able to tell the difference between the Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Silver Maple, Boxelder Maple, and Bigleaf Maple found in Kansas.
So, let us start with the Sugar maple, which is the most common of all maple trees in Kansas.
1. Sugar Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer saccharum
- Common Name(s): Sugar Maple, Rock Maple
- Mature Height: 60-100 feet (18-30 meters)
- Native Region: Eastern North America
- Flowers: Small yellow-green flowers in clusters
- Fruit: Double-winged samaras (helicopters)
- Uses: The Sugar Maple is highly valued for its sap, which is used to make maple syrup and maple sugar. Its wood is used for furniture, flooring, and musical instruments.
The Sugar Maple, scientifically known as Acer saccharum, is a Sapindaceae family deciduous tree. Because of its importance in the manufacturing of maple syrup, it is commonly known as the Sugar Maple. This tree has a dense, oval-shaped crown and can reach a mature height of 60-100 feet (18-30 meters). Sugar Maple leaves are opposite, palmately veined, and somewhat lobed in the spring and summer, turning hues of yellow, orange, and red in the fall.
The Sugar Maple, which is native to northeastern North America, is common in Kansas settings. It prefers full sun to light shade and grows best in well-drained soil. This tree can survive a variety of soil conditions, but prefers loamy or sandy soil. Once established, it is also reported to be fairly drought-tolerant.
During the spring, the Sugar Maple produces little yellow-green flower clusters. These flowers are an important source of nectar for pollinators. In late spring, the tree produces double-winged samaras, also referred to as “helicopters,” which the wind scatters.
The Sugar Maple trees in Kansas is culturally and economically significant. Many residents tap the trees in late winter or early spring to harvest sap for maple syrup and sugar manufacture. Drilling a hole into the trunk and adding a spout or tap allows the sap to trickle into a collection receptacle. The sap is then cooked to concentrate the sugar content and create the sweet and flavorful maple syrup.
Aside from its culinary applications, the Sugar Maple is prized for its gorgeous hardwood, which is utilized in a variety of woodworking projects. The wood is used for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and other ornamental purposes due to its strength, durability, and lovely grain patterns.
In terms of maintenance, the Sugar Maple necessitates regular watering, especially during droughts. Mulching around the base of the tree aids in moisture retention and weed control. To promote healthy development and keep the correct shape, prune in late winter or early spring. Regular pest and disease examinations are also recommended to ensure the tree’s general health and vigor.
2. Red Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer rubrum
- Common Name(s): Red Maple, Swamp Maple
- Mature Height: 40-70 feet (12-21 meters)
- Native Region: Eastern North America
- Flowers: Small, red clusters in early spring
- Fruit: Pairs of samaras (winged seeds)
- Uses: Shade tree, ornamental tree, source of maple syrup, lumber, and pulpwood
The Red Maple, scientifically known as Acer rubrum, is a deciduous tree widespread throughout Kansas. It can grow to be a medium-sized tree with a mature height of 40-70 feet (12-21 meters). The Red Maple is native to eastern North America, including Kansas, and is frequently cultivated due of its eye-catching hues and adaptability.
The leaves of the Red Maple are unusual, having three to five lobes that resemble the shape of a human hand. In the fall, the deep green leaves turn bright crimson, orange, or yellow, creating a beautiful display of autumn splendor. The bark of the Red Maple is smooth and gray when young, but it darkens and gets rougher with age.
The Red Maple produces little clusters of red flowers in early spring, bringing a bright accent to the landscape. Bees and other pollinators rely on these blossoms for early nectar. Following the blossoms, the tree produces samaras, which are pairs of winged seeds. Wind is a typical means of dispersing these seeds, which can travel long distances from the parent tree.
The Red Maple is suited to a variety of soil types, including wet and poorly drained soils, making it suitable for a variety of Kansas landscapes. It enjoys full sun to light shade and can withstand moderate drought. The Red Maple can be used as a shade tree in Kansas landscapes, offering relief from the summer heat, or as an ornamental tree, boosting the aesthetic appeal of gardens and parks.
The manufacturing of maple syrup is an important usage of the Red Maple. This tree’s sap contains sugar, which may be collected and cooked down to produce maple syrup. Furthermore, because its wood is robust, durable, and widely utilized in construction, furniture, and paper production, the Red Maple is a rich source of lumber and pulpwood.
3. Silver Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer saccharinum
- Common Name(s): Silver Maple
- Mature Height: 50-80 feet (15-24 meters)
- Native Region: North America
- Flowers: Small, yellow-green flowers in early spring
- Fruit: Paired samaras (winged seeds)
- Uses: Shade tree, ornamental tree, timber for furniture and cabinets
Acer saccharinum, sometimes known as the Silver Maple, is a widespread tree in Kansas settings. It is a deciduous tree that can grow to be 50-80 feet (15-24 meters) tall when mature. The Silver Maple, which is native to North America, is prized for its quick growth and gorgeous foliage.
The Silver Maple has remarkable palmately lobed leaves with deep, sharp indentations. The tree gets its common name from its green leaves with a silvery underside. When the leaves change color in the fall, they might range from yellow to orange to crimson.
When young, the Silver Maple has smooth, gray-brown bark that becomes rough and forms furrows and ridges as the tree ages. Before the leaves develop, this tree produces little yellow-green blooms. Although not extremely attractive, these flowers are a vital source of nectar for early pollinators.
The Silver Maple has paired samaras, which are winged seeds that look like “helicopters” when they fall off the tree. The wind can disseminate these seeds, allowing the tree to disperse its children. They also serve as a source of food for birds and small mammals.
Because of its quick growth and graceful look, the Silver Maple is frequently employed as a shade tree or ornamental tree in Kansas landscaping. It may grow in a variety of soil types, but favors moist, well-drained soil. This tree grows well in full sun to partial shade.
When planting Silver Maple trees in Kansas landscapes, make sure to leave enough space for it to grow to maturity. Pruning on a regular basis may be required to preserve a desired form and limit the chance of branch breaking. It is also critical to keep an eye out for pests and diseases like leaf spot and silver maple decline.
Aside from its aesthetic appeal, the Silver Maple offers a multitude of purposes. Because of its exquisite texture and appealing grain patterns, its wood is often utilized in the creation of furniture and cabinets. This tree’s deep shade makes it a popular choice for outdoor entertainment areas as well as cooling homes and structures during the hot Kansas summers.
4. Boxelder Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer negundo
- Common Name(s): Boxelder Maple, Box Elder, Ash-leaved Maple
- Mature Height: 30-50 feet (9-15 meters)
- Native Region: North America
- Flowers: Inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers in early spring. No distinct fragrance.
- Fruit: Winged samaras (seeds) that are light green when young and turn brown as they mature.
- Uses: Shade tree, ornamental tree, wood for furniture and crates, used in landscaping for erosion control
The Boxelder Maple, formally known as Acer negundo, is a Sapindaceae-family deciduous tree. It is widespread in North America, including Kansas. The Boxelder Maple mature height ranges from 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 meters), making it a medium-sized tree suited for various landscapes.
The Boxelder Maple has compound leaves, which are made up of numerous leaflets linked to a central stalk. Each leaflet is large and elongated, with serrated edges. The tree’s bark is grayish-brown and becomes wrinkled as it ages. The leaves turn golden in the fall, adding a vivid touch to the environment.
This maple tree is well-known for its rapid growth and adaptation to a wide range of soil conditions, including clay and sand. It can withstand both rainy and dry conditions, making it ideal for Kansas settings. It grows well in full sun to slight shade.
The Boxelder Maple has little greenish-yellow flowers in early spring. These flowers are not extremely beautiful and have no discernible aroma. The tree also produces winged samaras, or seeds, which are light green when young and grow to brown. Because of their spinning motion when they fall from the tree, these samaras are often referred to as “helicopters.”
The Boxelder Maple has a variety of landscaping applications. Because of its lush foliage, it is a popular choice for residential yards and parks. It’s also a lovely ornamental tree, giving visual interest to any landscape. The Boxelder Maple’s wood is quite soft and has been used for a variety of applications, including furniture, crates, and flooring.
Watering is essential when caring for Boxelder Maple trees in Kansas, especially during dry years. Mulching around the base of the tree aids in moisture retention. Pruning can be used to keep the ideal shape while also removing any dead or damaged branches. Fertilization on a regular basis might help encourage healthy growth.
5. Amur Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer ginnala
- Common Name(s): Amur Maple, Siberian Maple
- Mature Height: 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters)
- Native Region: Northeast Asia (Amur River region)
- Flowers: Small yellow-green flowers in spring
- Fruit: Small winged samaras (seeds)
- Uses: Amur Maple is commonly used as an ornamental tree in landscapes due to its beautiful fall foliage and compact size. It can also be used as a hedge or screen.
The Amur Maple (Acer ginnala) is a small deciduous tree that grows to a height of 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) with a spread of 15-18 feet (4.5-5.5 meters). It has a dense crown with many trunks, and its branches stretch out. The Amur Maple’s leaves are opposite, three-lobed, and toothed, with a dark green color in summer that changes to bright shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall.
The Amur Maple, which is native to the Amur River region of Northeast Asia, has been widely cultivated in many regions of the world, including North America. It is well-suited for growing in both indoor and outdoor environments in Kansas. It enjoys full light but may tolerate some shade. It may grow in a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. It does, however, thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soils.
The Amur Maple has little yellow-green flowers in the spring that are not particularly spectacular but attract pollinators. It also bears winged samaras, sometimes known as “helicopter seeds,” as fruit. Samaras ripen in the late summer and fall and are scattered by the wind.
Amur Maple is quite simple to manage in Kansas environments. It needs to be watered on a regular basis, especially during dry periods, and it benefits from mulching to retain moisture. Pruning can be done in the late winter or early spring to remove dead or broken branches and keep the contour of the tree. Fertilization is usually not required until the tree exhibits indicators of nutritional insufficiency.
Because of its stunning fall leaves, the Amur Maple is frequently utilized as an accent or specimen tree in Kansas settings. Because of its tiny stature and tolerance for urban environments, it is ideal for small gardens or as a street tree. When planted closely together, it can also be utilized as a hedge or screen. Its adaptability to a variety of soil types makes it versatile and adaptable across the state.
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Common Maple Trees In Kansas – Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Recommended Plants & Trees For Kansas, Kansas State University
- Native Tree Identification, Kansas Native Plant Society
- Discover Kansas Forests, Kansas Forest Service
- Preferred Trees for Southwest Kansas, Kansas State University
