Maple

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Maple (Latin Acer) - a genus of shrubs and trees of the Sapindovye family. Previously, the genus was reckoned to the Maple family. Maple is found naturally in North America, Asia and Europe. Most species are distributed in temperate latitudes, and only one species - Laurel Maple (lat. Acer laurinum) grows in countries with hot climates. Maple is completely absent in Australia and South America. In Russia, about 20 species are widespread, in particular, White Maple, or pseudo-Platan Maple, Norway Maple, Field Maple, Tatar Maple, Small-leaved Maple, Riverine Maple, Manchurian Maple.

Characteristics of culture

Maple is a deciduous or evergreen shrub or tree 5 to 30-40 m high with a gray-brown bark that darkens and cracks with age. The branches are quite strong, directed upwards. Leaves are green, simple, palm-like, glabrous or pubescent, pointed or obtuse, equipped with 3-9 veins. In some species, the leaves are compound-pinnate or compound-palmate. Autumn foliage becomes yellowish or orange in color, only a small part of the representatives of the genus are green all year round.

The flowers are orange, yellow, green, yellowish-green or red, fragrant or odorless, five-petalled, collected in corymbose, umbellate or racemose inflorescences. Maples bloom in early spring, less often at the end of winter, as a rule, during the opening of leaves, sometimes earlier. The fruit is a lionfish, formed 2-6 weeks after flowering. During ripening, the fruit splits into two fruits, each containing one seed. Seeds are flattened, glabrous.

Growing conditions

Almost all representatives of the genus are shade-tolerant, but they develop better and bloom in intensely lit areas. Each species of the genus has its own requirements for soil conditions, for example, Norway maple prefers fertile, moderately moist and acidic soils; Bearded maple - any garden soil without compaction; Fan maple - loamy or sandy, fertile, slightly acidic soils; Red maple - moist soils; Tatar maple is unpretentious, even tolerates saline soils; Field maple - fertile, not too acidic substrates.

Reproduction and planting

Maple propagates by seeds and vegetatively (by cuttings, layering and grafting). Seeds are subjected to long-term stratification before sowing. Cutting is also acceptable, but the percentage of rooting does not give high results. Cuttings are cut in the fall and planted in the spring. It is recommended to use this method only if it is not possible to obtain seeds. Maple seeds are sown in the fall under a shelter; in this case, the seeds do not need stratification, since they pass through it in natural conditions. Entrances appear with the onset of heat.

Most of the representatives of the genus, during growth, form a large number of root suckers, they are also suitable for propagation of culture. When the maple is propagated by air layers: the lower healthy shoot is selected, cuts are made on it with a clean knife, treated with root formation stimulants and wrapped in moist sphagnum moss, and then in plastic wrap. Over time, strong roots are formed in the places of the incisions, but the layering is carried out only next spring. This method is most suitable for warm climates. In cold regions, the layers are laid in the soil grooves.

Care

Maple is hygrophilous, needs regular and abundant watering. It is undesirable to allow waterlogging. In drought, the amount of watering is doubled. Optimally 15 liters per plant per week. After watering and removing weeds, the near-stem zone is loosened, this is necessary in order to avoid soil compaction, which negatively affects the development of most maples.

Formative pruning is not required for the culture, but sanitary pruning should not be abandoned. Representatives of the genus also do not need shelter for the winter, but in regions with a cold climate, young plants are covered with spruce branches, and the stem zone is mulched with peat or dry fallen leaves. Maples are resistant to diseases and pests, rarely affected by coral spot, powdery mildew, brown rot, etc.

Application

Maples are widely used in garden design. They look great in group and solitary plantings. Dwarf forms harmoniously fit into rocky gardens - rockeries and rock gardens. Some species are appropriate in Japanese gardens. Maple Ginalla, Tatar Maple and Field Maple are often used to create hedges and protective plantings against the wind.