Black maple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black maple |
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A. nigrum
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| Acer nigrum |
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Acer saccharum subsp. nigrum |
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The black maple (scientific name: Acer nigrum) is a type of maple tree. It is very similar to the sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Some scientists even think it's just a special kind of sugar maple, calling it Acer saccharum subsp. nigrum.
It can be tricky to tell black maples and sugar maples apart. This is because they can sometimes mix and create "hybrid" trees. The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at their leaves. Black maples usually have three main points (called lobes) on their leaves. Sugar maples, on the other hand, usually have five lobes. Black maple leaves also often look a bit droopy. Other small differences include darker bark with deeper grooves, slightly smaller seeds, and thicker leaf stems (called petioles). Hybrid trees will have features that are somewhere in between the two.
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Where Black Maples Grow
The black maple grows in a slightly smaller area than the sugar maple. You can find it in many parts of the Midwestern United States and some areas of the Eastern United States. It also grows in southeastern Canada, especially in southern Ontario.
What Black Maples Look Like
When fully grown, a black maple tree can reach heights of 21 to 34 meters (about 70 to 110 feet). That's as tall as a 7- to 10-story building!
How People Use Black Maples
Black maples are used in similar ways to sugar maples.
- Timber: Their wood is very strong and is used as "hard maple" timber. This wood is great for making furniture, flooring, and other sturdy items.
- Landscaping: These trees are also planted in parks and yards because they are beautiful and provide good shade.
- Maple Syrup: Just like sugar maples, black maples can be tapped to collect sap. This sap is then boiled down to make delicious maple syrup.
Images for kids
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A black maple tree.
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Map showing where black maples grow naturally.
