This beautiful deciduous tree reaches up to 21 meters in height, and its width is sometimes 90 cm, but the usual options are 30-60 cm. The crown of the tree is uneven. The trunk is short and at the base is sometimes divided into long, sprawling, often curved shoots, diverging unevenly in different directions, creating a spasmodic crown. If the American maple grows among other trees, its trunk branches higher. It turns out a rare and high crown.
American maple grows very fast when young, so it is widely used for landscaping. In addition, it is frost-resistant and can withstand up to minus 40 degrees. The tree loves sunlight, and the soil is not particularly demanding. Feels great in urban environments. American maple lives no more than 80-100 years, which is not very long for a tree, and even less in street plantings - up to 30 years.
The tree is very brittle. Fast growth, ease of propagation andunpretentiousness gave it distribution among the people. Nevertheless, low decorative qualities and fragility make it possible to use it as a temporary breed to achieve a quick landscaping effect. It can be combined in linear and group plantings with highly ornamental species that grow more slowly.
Maple leaves, the photo of which you can see, are opposite, compound pinnate. They have 3 to 7 leaflets 15-18 cm long. They are light green in the upper part, and pale silvery-white in the lower part, smooth to the touch. In shape, maple leaves are somewhat reminiscent of ash leaves. Their shapes vary, but individual leaves are well reminiscent of a classic maple leaf. In autumn they turn yellow.
American maple is naturally found in tugai forests, as well as in swampy areas of Canada and the USA. In the northeastern part, the range is limited to the states of New York and New Jersey, and the northwestern part is the southern regions of the Canadian province of Ontario. To the southwest is central Texas, and to the southeast is central Florida. However, individual populations can be found in California, Mexico, the Midwest and Guatemala.
American maple is unpretentious to soil conditions, but grows better on fresh fertile soils, especially if the place is well lit. It is mobile and very active, has a high growth rate, and is well resistant to air pollution. In the vicinity of cities and towns, it can spread by self-seeding, however, it soon takes root innatural communities, becoming a weed. Already at the age of 6-7 years, the tree enters the fruiting stage, so the change of generations in it occurs faster than in other trees.
The light, soft, fragile and fine-grained wood that American maple has is rarely used. It is mainly used to make wooden containers, household items and cheap furniture.
There are many varieties of maples in the world. They differ in many ways. For example, sugar maple, grows much slower than American maple, and is more durable, does not feel good in the city, and its wood is much harder.
