Acer saccharinum
174929
223374993
2008-07-03T20:19:13Z
207.250.204.185
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Acer saccharinum''
| image = Silber-Ahorn_(Acer_saccharinum).jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Aceraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Maple|Acer]]''
| species = '''''A. saccharinum'''''
| binomial = ''Acer saccharinum''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Acer saccharinum''''', known as the '''silver maple''' (also occasionally the creek maple, river maple, silverleaf maple, soft maple, water maple, or white maple), is a species of [[maple]] native to eastern [[North America]] in the eastern [[United States]] and adjacent parts of southeast [[Canada]].
==Description==
[[Image:Silver_maple_leaf.jpg|thumb|left|A Silver Maple leaf]]
The silver maple is a relatively fast-growing [[deciduous]] [[tree]], commonly reaching a height of 20-30 m, exceptionally 35 m. It is often found along waterways and in wetlands, leading to the colloquial name "water maple". It is one of the most common trees in the [[United States]]. It is a highly adaptable tree, although it has higher sunlight requirements than other maples.
[[Image:Acer saccharinum leaves.jpg|thumb|left|Silver maple leaves]]
The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[leaf shape|palmate]], 8-16 cm long and 6-12 cm broad, with deep angular notches between the five lobes. The 5-12 cm long, slender stalks of the leaves mean that even a light breeze can produce a striking effect as the silver undersides of the leaves are exposed. The autumn color is less pronounced than in many maples, generally ending up a pale yellow, although some specimens can produce a more brilliant yellow and even orange and red colorations. Some specimens can simply drop their leaves while still green as well.
The [[flower]]s are in small [[panicle]]s, produced before the leaves in early spring, with the [[seed]]s maturing in early summer. The seeds are winged, in pairs, small (5-10 mm diameter), the wing about 3-5 cm long. Although the wings provide for some transport by air, the seeds are heavy and are also transported by water.
On mature trunks, the bark is gray and shaggy. On branches and young trunks, the bark is smooth and silvery gray.
In many parts of the eastern U.S., the large buds of the silver maple are one of the primary food sources for [[squirrels]] during the spring, after many acorns and nuts have sprouted and the squirrels' food is scarce. The seeds are the largest of any native maple and are also a food source for wildlife.
Silver Maples look good in their younger years. After a while so many branches will break off that you will be left with a huge tree trunk containing a small amount of ugly branches. Often times they are very ugly when they get older.
==Cultivation==
[[Image:Silver-maple-bark.jpg|thumb|left|Silver maple bark]]
The silver maple has brittle wood, and is commonly damaged in storms, hence some people call the tree the "car crusher", since particularly big storms, especially those with very strong gale/storm force winds, can bring down exceptionally large limbs that are highly capable of crushing vehicles parked under or near the tree. The roots are shallow and fibrous and easily invade septic fields and old drain pipes and can also crack sidewalks and foundations. It is a vigorous resprouter, and if not pruned, it will often grow with multiple trunks. It is, nonetheless, widely used as an [[ornamental plant|ornamental tree]] because of its rapid growth and ease of propagation and transplanting. It is highly tolerant of urban conditions, which is why it is frequently planted next to streets. Although it naturally is found near water, it can grow on drier ground if planted there.
It is also commonly cultivated outside its native range, showing tolerance of a wide range of climates, growing successfully as far north as central [[Norway]] and south to [[Orlando, Florida]]. It can thrive in a [[Mediterranean climate]], as at [[Jerusalem]] and [[Los Angeles]], if summer water is provided. It is also grown in temperate parts of the [[Southern Hemisphere]], as in [[Argentina]] and [[Uruguay]].
The silver maple is closely related to the [[red maple]], and can hybridise with it, the [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] being known as the Freeman maple (''Acer x freemanii''). The Freeman maple is a popular ornamental tree in [[park]]s and large [[garden]]s, combining the fast growth of silver maple with the less brittle wood and less invasive roots of the red maple.
==References==
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ACSA2 USDA Plants Profile: ''Acer saccharinum'']
*[http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/a/acesac/acesac1.html UConn Plant Database: Silver Maple]
*[http://wildwnc.org/trees/Acer_saccharinum.html Trees of Western North Carolina: Silver Maple]
*[http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/acsa2.htm ''Acer saccharinum'' images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]
{{Commonscat|Acer saccharinum}}
[[Category:Acer|saccharinum]]
[[Category:Trees of Southeastern Canada]]
[[Category:Trees of the Plains-Midwest (United States)]]
[[Category:Trees of the Eastern United States]]
[[Category:Trees of Michigan]]
[[Category:Trees of Ohio]]
[[cs:Javor stříbrný]]
[[da:Sølv-Løn]]
[[de:Silber-Ahorn]]
[[es:Acer saccharinum]]
[[eo:Arĝenta acero]]
[[fr:Érable argenté]]
[[it:Acer saccharinum]]
[[nl:Zilveresdoorn]]
[[pl:Klon srebrzysty]]
[[ru:Клён серебристый]]