| A
maple tree is a wonderful addition to any landscape. Some varieties
of maple tree will only grow to twenty feet high, and will work
perfectly if space is limited. There are other varieties than,
in time, can grow to over seventy feet in height. The beautiful
bark of a maple tree begins smooth, but will soon become brown
and rough, splitting in longitudinal crevices. |
A
maple tree has beautiful foliage, starting out crimson, and
quickly growing into the deep green leaf that is so characteristic
of the species. The flowers are often five lobed, with one
small lobe on each side of the three large lobes. Some maple
tree leaves are not lobed, but maintain the three primary
veins that signify a maple leaf. The base of the leaf, where
it meets the stalk, has an indenture similar to the top of
a heart.
Maple
tree sap is used to make sugar, although most varieties do
not bleed the sap freely. The wood of a maple tree is often
used in making furniture, and the grain is beautiful and often
darkly veined. The young shoots of a maple tree are tough
and flexible, often being employed as whips. Maple trees are
very tolerant of shears, and therefore make excellent hedges
and easy additions to geometric gardening.
|
|
| A
maple tree is susceptible to many different diseases. One
of them is mildew. A maple tree infected with mildew is chalky,
and both sides of the leaves are affected. The leaves of a
maple tree are often seen to be studded on the upper surface
with red conical swellings. This is caused by punctures of
a mite, and can also be seen on roses and violets.
|
