Maple Syrup in the Classroom Lesson 4 Tree Identification

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Identifying Maple Trees All native species of Maple trees may be used to produce syrup. Maple trees are easily identified even after their leaves have fallen because of their opposite budding pattern and thin twigs. American Beech may also be used as they are part of the maple family. 4.1

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Identifying Maple Trees There are four easily noted tree characteristics that can be used to identify trees when the leaves are not available. – –Budding Pattern – –Shape of Buds – –Shape of Twigs – –Bark Pattern 4.2

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Budding Patterns The following are the two common budding patterns found in hardwood (non-coniferous) trees. – –Opposite   Buds or branches are found directly across from each other. – –Alternate   Buds or branches are found alternating from side to side. 4.3

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Alternate Budding 4.4

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Opposite Budding 4.5

Maple Syrup in the Classroom American Beech Fagus grandifolia Budding Pattern - Alternate Buds - Seven times as long as wide. Twigs - Thin Bark - Silver and smooth. This is the tree many people carve words into. 4.6

Maple Syrup in the Classroom American Beech forestry/commontr/sugar.htm

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Budding Pattern - Opposite Buds - Sharp and pointed. Twigs - Thin Bark - Rough with the long irregular vertical plates that peal away from the trunk. 4.8

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Sugar Maple forestry/commontr/sugar.htm

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Red Maple Acer rubrum Budding Pattern - Opposite Buds - Blunt or rounded red buds. Twigs - Thin Bark - Young growth 4-8 inches have smooth light gray bark that gives way to gray or black ridges. 4.10

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Red Maple forestry/commontr/sugar.htm

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Silver Maple Acer saccharinum Budding Pattern - Opposite Buds - Clumps of blunt or rounded red buds. Twigs - Thin Bark - Similar to Red Maple. 4.12

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Silver Maple forestry/commontr/sugar.htm

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Norway Maple Acer platanoides Budding Pattern - Opposite Buds - Blunt or Rounded Twigs - Thin Bark - Smooth bark with a diamond shape pattern similar to an ash tree. – –Note: Norway maples are a non-native species planted as ornamental trees and are not commonly used to produce maple syrup. 4.14

Maple Syrup in the Classroom Norway Maple forestry/commontr/sugar.htm