Region of Origin

The silver maple (or Acer saccharinum) is found mostly on the east coast of the US. It grows in temperate climates.

Physical Characteristics :

Color

Physical Characteristics :

Form

The silver maple has a vase-like shape, simular to most maples.

Physical Characteristics :

Texture

The bark is flaky and rough, and develops scaly plates, that later become brittle and shaggy. The leaves are flat with 5 points, and can grow up to 8 inches long and 5 inches wide.

Physical Characteristics :

Height

My Height (5'3)

Tree Height (avg. 65 feet)

Pollination

Predation

Predation + Pollination

Ecology :

The germination period is about 1-2 months.

Seed Dispersal Method

Growth Milestones

The silver maple passes through a few milestones, notably reaching maturity at

Gender Parity

the trees can be either dioecious or monoecious, with a lot more of the latter

Reproduction

Ecology :

Fruits + Flowers

Ecology :

Fruits [Scents, Taste, Quality)

Flowers [Scent, Color, Quality)

History at the Arboretum

The Arboretum recieved their first silver maple in 1881. It was brought to the Arboretum by Beatrix Farrend, who was an influential landscape architect who began her career with the Arboretum.

The silver was the tallest tree in the Arboretum for many decades until a storm broke the branches.

Student Sketches / Models

Sketches

Models

Final Facts + Notes

• The silver maple grows at a fast rate of more than 24" a year

• Beavers apparently love this tree

• Early settlers in Ohio Valley used silver maples as a building material because of how fast the tree grew.