Acer Saccharinum L.

The Silver Maple is a rustic an indigenous tree of Quebec¹ commonly found in marshy forests in southern Quebec². It is intolerant to shade and is sensitive to harsh wind and ice storms¹. It is a fast growing tree with a magnificent foliage; it is therefore quite popular in cities for aesthetic purposes¹. In spring, it is the earliest of all the maple trees to flower³.

Habitat and Distribution 

The Silver Maple thrives in rich and moist soil; it is often found bordering streams, swamps and lakeshore. It is intolerant to shade^{3, 4}.

Physical Characteristics

Size and Form: It is a fast growing tree; it can reach up to 35m in height with ascending branches and crown is high and open. Larger branches from an “S” shape going downward at first and then curling upward. An adult tree can have a trunk of 50-100 cm in diameter. It can live up to 130 years ³.

Leaf: The leaves are about 15-20 cm long and widest above the base. It normally has 5 lobes³ with 3-5 deep sinuses². It is simple and opposite. The leaf shape is palmate with  a sharp coarsely toothed margin. The venation is palmate as well. It has a light green upper surface and a silvery-white underneath³.

Trunk and Bark: Stems release an unpleasant odour when bruised³. Young bark is smooth and grey. Adult bark is dark-reddish brown  and is composed of long, thin and narrow flakes curling upwards on both ends thus giving the trunk a shaggy appearance³.

Flowers and Fruits: The flowers are found on short stalks; they are small and greenish-yellow. The flowers blooms in late winter³ and the fruit matures early in the summer². The fruit uses wind dispersal to spread its seeds. The wings are about 5 cm long and from a 90° angle between them. The seedcase is ribbed. Oftentimes, seeds develop in just one of the paired keys³.

Ecology

Its wood is used for cabinetry, floors, veneer, plywood, pulpwood and even railways⁵.

The trunks of Silver Maple are often hollow. These cavities provide shelter for generalist species such as squirrels and raccoons as well as nesting spaces for wood ducks and other birds³.

References

1- Sokolyk, Michel. Decouvrir La Flore Forestiere. Les Éditions De L’Homme, 2001.

2- Leboeuf, Michel. Arbres Et Plantes Forestières Du Québec Et Des Maritimes. Éditions Michel Quintin, 2006.

3- Farrar, John Laird. Trees in Canada. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1995.

4- Silver Maple map: “Silver Maple.” Encyclopedia of Life, eol.org/pages/583072/maps.

5- Rouleau, Raymond. Petite Flore Forestière Du Québec. 2nd ed., Les Publications Du Québec, 1990.

Contributors

Environmental Science Students: Stéphanie Gangnon