Maples are some of the most popular shade and ornamental trees at the Garden Center. And why not?  They can provide plenty of shade, offer amazing fall color and can be super adaptable. There are even a few varieties of native species in the shade tree line!

There are 131 Acer species that are native to regions all over the northern hemisphere and only 1 that makes its home south of the equator. The oldest fossil traces have been found in North America and northeastern Asia, dating back 60 million years.

You’ll find that maples offer so many interesting features, making it easy to identify one from an oak or birch. Most flower in early spring in colors of green, yellow, orange or red. The blossoms are tiny, but massed together are a welcome sign that warmer weather is on the way and are an important source of pollen and nectar for bees. The distinctively lobed leaves cloak the trees for the summer, offering a respite from sultry summer days. About this time of the year, many maple trees release their distinctively shaped fruits called samaras. As kids, we referred to them as helicopters or whirly-gigs as they twirled lazily to the ground. The maple nutlets are attached to flattened wings that can travel a considerable distance.

But the maple feature that claims the most attention is the amazing autumn color! As fall days shorten, trees stop producing chlorophyll and the underlying pigments are revealed as shades of brilliant yellow, fiery orange and deep red. Fall color intensity is affected by several factors that include temperature swings and rainfall. A late summer with regular rainfall and sunny days followed by cool nights is the recipe for perfect fall color.

There are many maples that do well in our Wisconsin yards and gardens, no matter the size. Here are a few of our favorites.

Acer freemanii, or Freeman Maple, is a cross between two native species and can grow to a very large size. Both parents offer desirable traits that make up for some of their short comings. Silver maple, A. saccharinum, brings soil adaptability and fast growth to the match while Red Maple, A. rubrum, offers stronger branching structure and exceptional fall color. The most popular variety is Autumn Blaze, appropriately named for the brilliant red-orange fall color that lights up the gloomiest fall day.

One of the most beautiful, and useful, of our native maples is A. saccharum, or Sugar Maple. As it grows in more northern climes, the species has trouble adapting to the compacted soils and hot, humid summers of southern Wisconsin, but cultivars have been developed to cope with more urban conditions. Varieties like Fall Fiesta boast the same incredible fall color and ladder-like branching as the species while being able to cope with the conditions of a suburban backyard. And for a fun experiment, you can try tapping your older trees to harvest the sap. Even if it doesn’t work, you’ll surely discover why good maple syrup costs what it does.

Let’s move on to a group that is decidedly not native. If you’re lucky enough to have the proper conditions for the Asian maple species like A. palmatum and pseudosieboldianum, you’re in for a treat. These smaller trees are perfection when planted in a sheltered spot of your garden and many of the varieties bring unique structures, leaf shapes and stunning fall color and can be used as a focal point. Most Japanese Maples do best in zones 5 and 6 and require protection from afternoon sun and sweeping winds. Consider the most adaptable varieties like Emperor, North Wind and Arctic Jade to see if these lovely trees are right for your yard’s conditions.

Japanese Maples demonstrate the need for being honest with yourself about your site. Of all the reasons that plants fail, the most common is improper placement. Whether you’re considering a tried-and-true sugar maple or experimenting with a more exotic cut-leaf, remember to consult the Garden Center’s nursery team. They can help you analyze the features of your landscape and choose plants that will thrive!