![]() If you have the space, go big and you’ll be rewarded by cool shade and beautiful fall color that will last for generations.Īpollo® Maple ( Acer saccharum ‘Barrett Cole’) is likely the most slender and compact of the sugar maples. In this article, smaller trees are described first, with height and spread estimates provided for each. Look to columnar and compact selections for space-challenged landscapes. While the classic, broad-spreading New England sugar maples grow too large for typical residential properties, various cultivars have been developed that are a better fit for smaller-scale landscapes. They’re generally long-lived, have storm-resistant structures, and are more deeply rooted than some of the other maple species. Collectively, they are quite versatile and can thrive if well-chosen and provided with reasonably well-drained soils and adequate moisture. Mention sugar maples, and people typically conjure up scenes of New England forests ablaze with fall color.įortunately, this native of Eastern North America and its closely related subspecies perform well in many landscape settings far beyond their native range. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.Ĭount on sugar maples to brighten the autumn landscape as their summer-green leaves turn with the season to bold tones of orange, red-orange and yellow. This attractive coloration, along with the general form and shape of the tree, also make sugar maples popular landscape elements.Sugar Maples Sweeten Autumn Views Sugar Maples Sweeten Autumn Viewsīy Nancy Buley, Director of Communications, J. The leaf peepers that come to see this annual display of color are a crucial component of the local economies during the period between summer vacations and winter skiing. Even sugar maples, when transplanted to areas with similar climates in Europe, do not produce the same level of foliage that they do in New England. For instance, aspens in the Rocky Mountains also turn colors in the autumn, but they all become a monotone yellow, with none of the flashy reds. People from all over the world are drawn to New England to see this natural show, for while all deciduous trees lose their leaves, only those in certain climates turn such gorgeous colors. Regardless of the reason, the combined display of thousands of trees, with red, orange and yellow leaves, is undeniably beautiful. Scientists still have not determined a reason for this particular behavior or how it benefits the tree, since it must actually expend energy to produce the red coloration. Red, however, is caused by anthocyanin, a chemical that the tree actively produces in the leaves as they are dying. These are always present in the tree and simply unmasked in the fall. These are yellow, produced by the pigment xanthophyll, and orange, caused by carotene, which also gives carrots their color. Since the chlorophyll produces the green color of leaves, when it begins to die, the underlying colors of the leaf begin to appear. As the days get shorter, the trees stop producing new chlorophyll and begin drawing nutrients out of the leaves and back into the tree. ![]() The reasons for this are numerous and not entirely understood, but the general idea is clear. Just before they drop off, however, they turn a variety of vibrant colors, from yellow to orange to red. As mentioned in the natural history section, maples are deciduous and lose their leaves every autumn. ![]() ![]() The final value of sugar maples lies with their spectacular foliage. Acer saccharum - Sugar Maple Fall Leaves. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |