Low maple – description, flowering period and general distribution in Maine. Young plant in the forest on a slope

Low maple – description, flowering period and general distribution in Maine. Blooming tree

Low maple – description, flowering period and general distribution in Maine. Plant flowers on a contrasting background

Low maple – description, flowering period and general distribution in Maine. Plant flowers close up

Low maple – description, flowering period and general distribution in Maine. Dense thickets

Low maple – description, flowering period and general distribution in Maine. Green leaves and ripening seeds

Common name:

Low maple

Scientific name:

Acer spicatum.

Other common name(s):

Mountain maple, Low maple, Moose maple, Water maple, Plaine batarde, Fouereux.

Life form:

Tree, Shrub.

Flowering time:

20 days.

Flowering period

in Maine for this plant is: May ↔ June.

NECTAR PRODUCTION:
200 kilograms per ha

SOURCE FOR HONEY BEES:
Major

General distribution:

Mountain maple is found throughout southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States, from Newfoundland to Saskatchewan south to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, northeastern Iowa, and in the mountains to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

Map of distribution and habitat in USA

This plant is present in at least 32 states/provinces in this country.

See The Map

Botanical description:

Mountain maple is a native, deciduous tall shrub or small tree. In the Appalachian Mountains, the maximum height of mountain maple is 33 feet (10 m), but it is usually smaller. In the northern parts of its range, maximum height is 20 feet (6 m). Maximum d.b.h. is 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) in the Appalachian Mountains and rarely over 3 to 4 inches (8-10 cm) in the north. This tree has a short, often crooked trunk, with a shrubby or clumped growth form. The bark of mountain maple is drab and flaky or furrowed. The root system is shallow; the majority of the roots are close to the soil surface. The fruit is a two-winged samara.
Height growth averages approximately 1 foot (0.3 m) per year, with maximum growth occurring when plants are 5 to 10 years of age. Plants become decadent at around 40 to 50 years of age. Older mountain maples often produce more new vegetative growth than younger individuals.

Seasonal development:

Mountain maple flowers from May to June, after the leaves are fully developed. Fruit ripens from mid-September to mid-October.

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List of honey plants that may be blooming now in Maine

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