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Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Lesson 4Tree Identification
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Identifying Maple Trees
All native species of Maple trees may be used to produce syrup.
Maple trees are easily identified even after their leaves have fallen because of their opposite budding pattern and thin twigs.
American Beech may also be used as they are part of the maple family.
4.1
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Identifying Maple Trees
There are four easily noted tree characteristics that can be used to identify trees when the leaves are not available.– Budding Pattern– Shape of Buds– Shape of Twigs– Bark Pattern
4.2
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Budding Patterns
The following are the two common budding patterns found in hardwood (non-coniferous) trees.– Opposite
Buds or branches are found directly across from each other.
– Alternate Buds or branches are found alternating
from side to side.
4.3
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Alternate Budding
4.4
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Opposite Budding
4.5
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
American Beech Fagus grandifolia
Budding Pattern - Alternate Buds - Seven times as long as
wide. Twigs - Thin Bark - Silver and smooth. This is
the tree many people carve words into.
4.6
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
American Beech
4.7
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ forestry/commontr/sugar.htm
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Sugar MapleAcer saccharum
Budding Pattern - Opposite Buds - Sharp and pointed. Twigs - Thin Bark - Rough with the long irregular
vertical plates that peal away from the trunk.
4.8
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Sugar Maple
4.9
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ forestry/commontr/sugar.htm
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Red MapleAcer rubrum
Budding Pattern - Opposite Buds - Blunt or rounded red buds. Twigs - Thin Bark - Young growth 4-8 inches have
smooth light gray bark that gives way to gray or black ridges.
4.10
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Red Maple
4.11
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ forestry/commontr/sugar.htm
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Silver MapleAcer saccharinum
Budding Pattern - Opposite Buds - Clumps of blunt or rounded
red buds. Twigs - Thin Bark - Similar to Red Maple.
4.12
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Silver Maple
4.13
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ forestry/commontr/sugar.htm
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Norway MapleAcer platanoides
Budding Pattern - Opposite Buds - Blunt or Rounded Twigs - Thin Bark - Smooth bark with a diamond
shape pattern similar to an ash tree.– Note: Norway maples are a non-native
species planted as ornamental trees and are not commonly used to produce maple syrup.
4.14
Maple Syrup in the Classroom
Norway MapleNorway Maple
4.15
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ forestry/commontr/sugar.htm
