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Silver maple as an ornamental tree
Silver maple is also called sugar maple, but you should not confuse it with the “sugar” type. Trees are resistant to unfavorable urban conditions, therefore they are suitable for decorating streets and parks.
Description of the tree silver maple
The trees are massive. The maple grows to a height of 20 m, the crown diameter is 15 m. The shape of the tree is round, the branches are inclined downward. Maple lives up to 150 years, in the first 20 years it grows to its usual size.
Silver maple looks especially beautiful in autumn
Maple lives up to 150 years, in the first 20 years it grows to its usual size.
Type characteristic:
- The crown is wide and spreading. The bark is light gray with small cracks.
- The leaves are narrow, five-lobed. When the leaf plate unfolds, it acquires a bronze tint, then becomes light green, and silvery below. In autumn it turns yellow.
- Flowering begins before the leaves open, in April-May. The flowers are red.
The advantage of maple is frost resistance, withstands up to -40˚C, the ability to grow in shaded areas, resistance to air pollution, fungal diseases and pests.
Trees prefer well-lit areas with a high humus content in the soil. Despite the fact that the root system of the maple is shallow, it suffers short-term flooding. Trees can be planted near water bodies.
Varieties of silver maple
There are such popular types:
- Laciniatum Vieri. Trees of this variety grow up to 15 m in height, they are shade-tolerant and moisture-loving. The branches are very fragile, they can break from a slight wind.
- “Pyramidal”. The crown is a spreading pyramidal shape. The branches grow vertically.
In the spring, sanitary pruning should be carried out to remove broken, old and fragile branches. Young seedlings need crown formation.
Other ornamental trees and shrubs can be grown next to the silver maple. It can be planted near a pond near a willow or birch. Maple looks next to spruce, pine and juniper, as well as rowan, almond and even fruit trees. A significant disadvantage of this type of maple is the increased fragility of the branches. Trees should not be planted in windy places, as well as near playgrounds, in the private sector, near parking lots or public places. Fallen branches can cause damage. The stems sometimes break even from the weight of the snow.
Silver maple is a versatile tree. With its help, you can not only green the city, but also create woody and shrub compositions. It is suitable for single and group plantings.